MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: How does color effect absorption of light energy?

Date: Wed Apr 5 21:27:33 2000
Posted By: Jared Dell, Grad student, Chemical Engineering + BS in Chemistry, Student
Area of science: Physics
ID: 954274396.Ph
Message:

A substance appears colored by absorbing light at one or more wavelengths 
in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum while reflecting or 
transmitting the others.  The combination of all colors appears white and 
the absence of light appears black.   When a body absorbs violet light a 
greenish yellow color is observed.  The same goes for blue and yellow, blue 
green and red, yellow green and violet, yellow and dark blue, orange and 
blue, and red and green.   These concepts are very important in Chemistry 
and Physics.

I hope this answers your question.  For additional information you may want 
to consult a Physics or Chemistry book.  Look under light in the glossary.

Good Luck!
Jared

[note added by MadSci Admin:  there is a number of
previous answers in our archives which touch on this
question.  Search using "color heat"]



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