What happens when you pass red light through different colored glass?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of using colored lights and glass to create different colors. It is explained that red light can pass through red glass, while green light can pass through green glass. The question of what color would result when shining red and green light through colored sheets is posed, and it is clarified that the correct answer is not the same as mixing red and green paint. A demonstration is mentioned where a red sheet is placed over a projector, followed by a green sheet, resulting in a black square on the screen due to the red light being completely blocked by the green sheet.
  • #1
MaterSammichM
32
0
Assuming a flat pane of colored glass, using colored lights...
If you pass red light through red glass, will it be blocked?
How about if you pass red light through a green glass- What will the color/frequency of the light which passes through the glass be? Would you simply add the frequency values together and divide them to get the new color frequency?
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
We did this experiment in school using coloured plexiglass sheets and a projector. The question posed was "what colour do you get if you place a red and green sheet over a white projector bulb?". Everyone gave the usual answers of what colour red and green paint gives when mixed. Note that this is incorrect.

Red glass only let's red light through. Green glass only let's green light through.

If you shine red light on red glass, then it will pass through. If you shine red light on green glass, none of it will pass through.

To demonstrate this our teacher placed a red sheet on the projector so it filtered the white light down to only red. He then placed a greed sheet on top. Because the only light hitting the green sheet was red, the green sheet completely blocked it showing a black square on the screen.
 

FAQ: What happens when you pass red light through different colored glass?

What is light frequency?

Light frequency refers to the number of waves that pass through a specific point in one second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz) and is directly related to the color of light. Higher frequencies correspond to shorter wavelengths and vice versa.

How are light frequencies and colors related?

The color of light is determined by its frequency. Red light has a longer wavelength and lower frequency, while blue light has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency. The entire visible light spectrum is made up of different frequencies and produces the different colors we see.

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, which includes visible light. It ranges from low frequency radio waves to high frequency gamma rays, with visible light falling in the middle of the spectrum.

Can light frequencies be harmful?

Light frequencies can be harmful if they are too high or too low. High frequency light, such as ultraviolet and gamma rays, can damage cells and cause health issues. Similarly, low frequency light, such as infrared and microwaves, can also have negative effects on the body if exposed to high levels for extended periods of time.

How do objects appear different colors?

Objects appear different colors because they absorb certain frequencies of light and reflect others. For example, a red apple appears red because it absorbs all frequencies of light except for red, which it reflects. The color we see is the reflected light that reaches our eyes.

Back
Top