visible light

Visible light spectrum

A spectrum of colour within the electromagnetic spectrum

Colours in order of increasing frequency

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet

Absorption of light on a surface

When light is absorbed by a surface, the energy of the wave is transferred to the particles in the surface

Opaque surfaces

Surfaces that absorb some wavelengths of light so they cannot be seen and reflect the rest

Colour of an opaque surface

Determined by which wavelengths of light are more strongly reflected

White

The colour an opaque surface will appear because all wavelengths of light are reflected equally

Black

The colour an opaque surface will appear when all wavelengths of light are absorbed

Transmission of light

When light is transmitted, the light continues to travel through the material

Transparent materials

Materials that transmit light with very little absorption

Translucent materials

Materials that transmit some light with some absorption

Coloured filter

Absorbs certain wavelengths of light and transmits other wavelengths

White light on a coloured filter

All colours are absorbed except for the colour of the filter