Why does paper look purple when held up to a white light?

Subject: Why does paper look purple when held up to a white light?

Date: Sun Oct 16 06:25:44 2005
Posted by Sam
Grade level: undergrad School: Cambridge University
City: Cambridge State/Province: No state entered. Country: England
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1129469144.Ph

Message:


When we hold two or more pieces of white paper (we tested this with several
types of paper - printer paper, notebook paper, recycled paper - all gave the
same result)in front of a source of white incandescent light (60W bulb) the
paper appeared purple (although the shade varied from almost blue to deep purple
depending upon the type of paper). Why is this?

Re: Why does paper look purple when held up to a white light?

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