The Relationship Between Wavelength & Stop Lights

In summary: Although this may not be entirely true, I think it has a lot to do with our natural tendency to see things in red that are more easily seen.
  • #1
Omid
182
0
Why the stop lights at the back of cars are red ?
Some say because red light is visible from far distances.
If that's true, is any relation between this property of red light and its wave length ?
 
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  • #2
yes, because red light has a higher wavelength (750nm), this means it has the abillity to diffract more, since waves with larger wavelengths diffract more. This is a problem with the auromobile industry, the light up dials on a dashboard are usually blue, they should be red, since blue is the hardest colour to see. Do an experiment, place blue light on a clock and watch the time pass, and then do it in red light, youll see the difference clearly.
 
  • #3
I believe the easiest light to see is yellow ( sunlight ) but we are accustomed to certain colors meaning something as well i.e
yellow -- warning
red --- danger
green -- no problem
 
  • #4
the eye is the most sencitive to yellow and green light, that is true, but red light gives the most detail because of its diffraction abilities.
 
  • #5
Nenad said:
...but red light gives the most detail because of its diffraction abilities.
Red light would give the least detail since it diffracts more than blue light.
 
  • #6
I think that RayJohn has the right idea; the reason brake lights and stoplights and stop signs are red has more to do with psychology than the physics of red light.
 
  • #7
Nope, I know this for a fact, it might be used for psychological reasons, but red light allows you to see in better detail tha blue light. Doc Al puts up a good point, but try it for yourself, youll see the result.
 
  • #8
Some studies have indicated that yellow vehicles are the easiest for drivers to see at a distance or in bad weather, and for that reason some municipalities have yellow fire trucks. From that I might think that yellow lights would be the easiest to see at a distance or through fog.

At any rate, I always assumed that red was chosen for stoplights because of its association with spilled blood, i.e. Danger ahead!
 

FAQ: The Relationship Between Wavelength & Stop Lights

What is the relationship between wavelength and stop lights?

The relationship between wavelength and stop lights is that the color of a stop light is determined by the wavelength of light it emits. Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of a light wave. Different colors have different wavelengths, with red having the longest wavelength and violet having the shortest.

Why are stop lights red, yellow, and green?

Stop lights are red, yellow, and green because these colors are most easily distinguishable to the human eye. Red has the longest wavelength and is associated with danger or stopping. Yellow has a medium wavelength and is associated with caution. Green has the shortest wavelength and is associated with safety or go.

How does the wavelength of light affect the visibility of a stop light?

The wavelength of light affects the visibility of a stop light because different wavelengths are perceived differently by the human eye. Red light, with its longer wavelength, is more easily seen from a distance than green light, which has a shorter wavelength. This is why the top light of a stop light is always red, so it can be seen from a distance.

What happens when the wavelength of light changes?

When the wavelength of light changes, the color of the light changes. This is because different colors have different wavelengths. For example, if the wavelength of light is decreased, the color shifts towards the blue end of the spectrum. This is why a stop light may appear more orange when the sun is setting, as the longer red wavelengths are scattered and the shorter orange wavelengths are more dominant.

Is the relationship between wavelength and stop lights the same in all countries?

The relationship between wavelength and stop lights is generally the same in all countries, as the colors red, yellow, and green are universally recognized as stop, caution, and go. However, some countries may use different colors, such as blue instead of green, or different shapes, such as arrows, to indicate stop and go. These variations do not change the overall relationship between wavelength and stop lights.

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