Name: White Light: Mixture of Seven Colours
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 4 min 43 s
Description: What is visible light, and what are its characteristics? Watch this video that illustrates the concept of splitting up of white light with a fun activity.

Question

Explain the importance of colour subtraction with an example.

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon due to which an opaque object selectively reflects light of a few colours out of white light and absorbs light of other colours is known as colour subtraction. If an object reflects light of all colours and does not absorb light of any colour, then the object appears as white.

If an object does not reflect the light of any colour falling on it and absorbs light of all colours, it appears black. An object is seen as colourful as it reflects light of its own colour and absorbs light of other colours.

For example when magenta light is shining on an object that made the material that is capable of absorbing blue light. There are only blue and red primary colours of light because magenta light consists of blue and red light. From this mixture, blue light is absorbed. After the process, only red light remains. Thus, the object will appear red in the presence of magenta light. Observe the representation of this by the equation below.

$M - B = (R + B) - B = R$

Explain the importance of colour subtraction with an example.

Important Questions on Light Energy

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