How does color work?

Color is a fascinating and complex topic that has captivated scientists and artists alike for centuries. At its most basic level, color is the result of light interacting with our eyes and brain, but the science behind this phenomenon is anything but simple.

Light is made up of electromagnetic waves that vibrate at different frequencies, and it's these frequencies that determine the color of the light we see. The visible spectrum of light ranges from red, with the longest wavelength and lowest frequency, to violet, with the shortest wavelength and highest frequency.

When light encounters an object, some wavelengths are absorbed by the object while others are reflected. It's the reflected wavelengths that our eyes detect, allowing us to see the color of the object. Different objects absorb and reflect different wavelengths of light, which is why they appear to be different colors.

Our eyes contain specialized cells called cones that detect different wavelengths of light. We have three types of cones that are sensitive to different parts of the visible spectrum, allowing us to perceive a wide range of colors. When light enters our eyes, it triggers a series of chemical reactions in the cones that create electrical signals, which are sent to the brain for processing.

The brain takes these electrical signals and uses them to create the sensation of color. This is why color is a subjective experience that can vary from person to person. Additionally, factors such as lighting conditions, the color of surrounding objects, and even our mood can all affect the way we perceive color.