7.5 Addition and Subtraction of Coloured Lights A.

Addition of Coloured Lights

Colours may classified into two groups: a) Primary colours RED,GREEN and BLUE - cannot be obtained by mixing other colours. RED + GREEN + BLUE b) Secondary colours- CYAN,MAGENTA and - obtained by mixing two primary colours. RED + GREEN RED + BLUE MAGENTA GREEN + BLUE CYAN

c) Complementary Colours - a pair of two colours, a primary and a secondary colour which combine to form white light.

+ BLUE MAGENTA + GREEN CYAN + RED

B. Subtraction of Coloured Lights by Coloured Filters

1. Filter is a transparent piece of glass, plastic or gelatin sheets which allows some light through and prevent others. 2. The action of filtering (preventing other colours) is called subtraction of coloured lights. 3. 2 types of filter: a) primary filter (red, blue, green) -only allows its own colour to pass through. -absorb all other colours. - e.g Red filter only allows red light to pass through it. b) secondary filter (magenta,cyan,yellow) - only allows its own colour and its component to pass through it. - e.g Yellow filter only allows red, green and yellow to pass through it.

Primary Filters

White light

red

White light

blue

White light

green

Secondary Filter
red green White light yellow White light cyan blue green

red blue White light magenta

Yellow filter allows red, green and yellow colour to pass through it.

White light Red is common to both filters. Cyan filter allows blue, green and cyan colour to pass through it.

BLACK
White light

White light

No common colour. All colours are absorbed.

Green is common to both filters.

7.6 Appearance of Coloured Objects

A. Coloured Objects
1. Colour of an object depends on the a) the colour of light that shines on the object b) the colour of light absorbed by the the object c) the colour of light reflected to the eyes of observer Primary coloured objects absorb all colours except their own colours which will be reflected to the observer s eyes.
white red red red

2.

blue Object looks black as the blue light is absorbed.

3. Secondary coloured objects absorb all colours except their own colour and their primary component colours.
white yellow yellow yellow

green

Yellow = red + green red green

red

blue Object looks black as blue light is absorbed.

4. White coloured objects looks white because it reflects all the

colours in white light.

white white red red

5. Black coloured objects looks blacks because it absorbs all colours in

white light.
white All the colours in white light are absorbed. green Green light is absorbed.

B. Rods and Cones in The Retina 1. Retina of the eye contains two types of sensory cells called rods and cones. When they are stimulated by light from an object, they send impulses along nerve fibres through the optic nerve to the brain.

2. Rods; a) are more suitable for seeing at night as they are more sensitive to dim light. b) do not see colour, see the objects in black and white. c) identify the different forms and shapes of objects in dim lights. 3. Cones; a) see colour of objects in bright light only, suitable for seeing in day light. b) have 3 types, each is sensitive to one primary colour. Together, they tell us the colour of an object. c) yellow spot (most sensitive part of the retina) composed of cones only.

7.7 Pigments
1. Pigments are coloured substances, obtained from plants and most are artificially from chemicals. 2. They are used in paints and dyes. 3. Examples of pigments; chlorophyll (green), charcoal(black) and turmeric (yellow). 4. Most pigments are not pure and can reflect more than one coloured light. 5. Primary colour pigments are red, blue and yellow. 6. Secondary colour pigment will be produced when two primary colour pigments are mixed, green, violet and orange. 7. White cannot be obtained by mixing the three primary colours. 8. Black is obtained when these three primary pigments are mixed in correct proportions.

8. The result of mixing of light is not the same as mixing pigments as

coloured pigments are not pure. 9. The formation of colours by mixing pigments is a colour subtraction process.
Example 1
White light White light

White light

Yellow pigment reflects yellow, green and red. Cyan pigment reflects cyan, green and blue. Both pigments reflects green colour. So the result of mixing the two pigments produces green colour. Green colour is the common colour.

Example 2
White light White light White light

Red pigment reflects red and yellow. The green pigment reflects green, yellow and blue. Yellow is reflected by both pigments. So the mixture of red and green pigments produces yellow colour. Yellow is the common colour.

Differences
Differences Based on the principle of Primary Colours Secondary colours Mixing of Pigments Subtraction of Colours Red, blue and yellow Addition of Colours of Light Addition of Colours Red,blue and green

Green,violet and orange Yellow, cyan and magenta

Similarities
Each has its own set of primary and secondary colours These primary and secondary colours can be mixed or added to obtain other colour.