​Disclaimer - 
Not intended
for medical advice, 
​consult your doctor.

Color Spectrum - Light is Energy

Light is Energy - Learning Objectives

1. ​Visible light and the electromagnetic spectrum, what is color?
   
2. What is a wavelength?
3. What is electromagnetic energy?

Color in Light

How we measure color in light? A part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum called Visible Light is measured in nanometers, nm.   This information is useful when understanding the color rendering ability and color bias of various light sources when compared to daylight.

The primary colors in light; red + blue-violet + green combine to make white light as shown in the illustration below. 

Tri colors forming white light.

Visible Spectrum

390 to 700 Nanometers (nm), describes the wavelengths visible to the human eye.  The wavelengths in visible light are measured in Nanometers, corresponding to different colors, shorter wavelengths are seen as blues and blue violet and the longest wavelengths are seen as yellows and reds as illustrated in the rainbow diagram below. A wavelength is the distance measured between successive crests of a wave.

---

Electromagnetic Spectrum & Visible Light

Visible light is only part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum surrounding us, X rays;, Ultra Violet Light, UV, Visible Light, Infa Red Light, Microwaves, Radio Waves, and Long waves.

Colors We Can't See
There are many wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum the human eye cannot detect.
Energy with wavelengths too short for humans to see
Energy with wavelengths too short to see is "more violet than violet". Light with such short wavelengths is called "Ultraviolet" light.
The term "ultra-" means higher than.
How do we know this light exists? One way is that this kind of light causes sunburns. Our skin is sensitive to this kind of light. If we stay out in this light without sunblock protection, our skin absorbs this energy. After the energy is absorbed, it can make our skin change color ("tan") or it can break down the cells and cause other damage.
Energy with wavelengths too long for humans to see
Energy whose wavelength is too long to see is "redder than red". Light with such long wavelengths is called "Infrared" light. The term "Infra-" means "lower than".
How do we know this kind of light exists? One way is that we can feel energy with these wavelengths such as when we sit in front of a campfire or when we get close to a stove burner. Scientists like Samuel Pierpont Langley passed light through a prism and discovered that the infrared light the scientists could not see beyond red could make other things hot.
Very long wavelengths of infrared light radiate heat to outer space. This radiation is important to the Earth's energy budget. If this energy did not escape to space, the solar energy that the Earth absorbs would continue to heat the Earth. [1]

---

Electromagnetic Spectrum

A diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum, showing various properties across the range of frequencies and wavelengths.

Electromagnetic Radiation Spectrum Poster - Click on image to enlarge.

This poster includes all known ranges of EMR including gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared, microwaves, radio waves (ULF, VLF, LF, MF, HF, long, short, HAM, VHF, UHF, SHF, EHF), cosmic microwave background radiation and brain waves, all organized by octaves. The audio frequency spectrum is also included. Descriptions are included for all ranges and properties of EMR including reflection, refraction, LASER, television, gravity waves, emission and absorption. There is also a handy chart of SI unit prefixes ranging from yocto to yotta.

Footnotes

1. http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/EDDOCS/Wavelengths_for_Colors.html
   

Photo Credits

• Electromagnetic Spectrum - Wiki
  
• Electromagnetic Radiation Spectrum Poster - http://unihedron.com/projects/spectrum/moreinfo.phpunihedron.com/projects/spectrum/moreinfo.php

Related Topics

Color in Light,  Color Blindness, Theatrical Lighting, Light Sources, Color in Paint - Why it fades?