Transcript Indicator 8-5.6 - Hartsville Middle School

The Human Perception of
Color
Standard 8-6.7
Explain how the absorption &
reflection of light waves by various
materials result in the human
perception of color.
Absorption & Reflection of Light
Waves
• Absorption & reflection
of light waves by various
materials results in…
• the human perception
of color
• Most materials…
• absorb light of some
frequencies & reflect
the rest
• If a material absorbs
a certain frequency of
light…
• that frequency will
NOT be reflected, so
its color will NOT be
perceived (seen) by
the observer
• If a material does not
absorb a certain
frequency of light…
• that frequency WILL
be reflected, so its
color WILL be
perceived (seen) by
the observer
White , Black, or Color?
• If all colors of light are
reflected by a
material, what color
will it appear?
• white
• If all colors of light are
absorbed by a
material, what color
will it appear?
• black
• The color we see
depends on:
• -the color of light that is
shined on the object
• -the color of light
reflected by the object
Example of Color
• If an object reflects
• red
red wavelengths &
absorbs all others, the
object will appear
what color?
Color Filters
• What does a color
filter do?
• allows only certain
colors of light to
pass/transmit through
it; it absorbs or
reflects all other
colors
Example of Color Filters
• A blue filter only
transmits
• blue light
• Objects seen through
a BLUE FILTER
• will look blue if the
objects REFLECT
blue
• Objects of other
colors will appear
BLACK
• because the other
color wavelengths are
being ABSORBED by
the filter