2. ColourColour
White light is not a single colour; it is made
up of a mixture of the seven colours of the
rainbow.
We can demonstrate this by
splitting white light with a
prism:
This is how rainbows are
formed: sunlight is “split up”
by raindrops.
3. The colours of the rainbow:The colours of the rainbow:
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet
4. Adding coloursAdding colours
White light can be split up to make separate colours.
These colours can be added together again.
The primary colours of light are red, blue and green:
Adding blue and red
makes magenta
(purple)
Adding blue and
green makes cyan
(light blue)
Adding all
three makes
white again
Adding red
and green
makes yellow
5. Seeing colourSeeing colour
The colour an object appears depends on the colours
of light it reflects.
For example, a red book only reflects red light:
White
light
Only red light
is reflected
6. A white hat would reflect all seven colours:
A pair of purple trousers would reflect purple light
(and red and blue, as purple is made up of red and blue):
Purple light
White
light
7. Using coloured lightUsing coloured light
If we look at a coloured object in coloured
light we see something different. For
example, consider a football kit:
White
light
Shorts look blue
Shirt looks red
8. In different colours of light this kit would look different:
Red
light
Shirt looks red
Shorts look black
Blue
light
Shirt looks black
Shorts look blue
9. Some further examples:
Object Colour of light
Colour object
seems to be
Red socks
Red Red
Blue Black
Green Black
Blue teddy
Red Black
Blue
Green
Green camel
Red
Blue
Green
Magenta book
Red
Blue
Green
15. Concave and Convex LensesConcave and Convex Lenses
Look at the convex and concave lenses
below:
16. The curved surface/surfaces of a lens bends the light.
Notice the paths of light of the convex and concave lenses shown below.
17. Convex LensesConvex Lenses
A convex lens is thicker in the middle.
A convex lens bends light rays so that they
meet at a focal point. This means that the
Light rays are converging.
18. Concave LensConcave Lens
A concave lens is thinner in the middle.
A concave lens bends light rays to make
them spread out. This means that the
light rays are diverging.