A Brief Introduction to Light, Optics and Colors

A Brief Introduction to Light, Optics, and Colors

Light as we know it is what scientists would call “visible light” as light is only what is visible to the human eye. Visible light is what we see. Other animals can see light in different ways. For example, dogs can only see shades of grey. Owls are the only birds that can see the color blue. Some insects can view rays of ultraviolet light, which is not visible to the human eye.

The entire spectrum of light is full of different types of waves of light. Electromagnetic radiation is a scientific term that refers to waves of light in the visible spectrum. The full spectrum also includes radio waves which are long and gamma and cosmic rays that are short. Visible light is in the middle of the spectrum. Radio and gamma and cosmic rays are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Certain colors of the visible spectrum have different wave lengths and travel at different speeds of light. As humans we see electromagnetic waves as colors of the rainbow. Red has the longest wavelength and travels at the slowest speed. Violet (purple) has the shortest wavelength and travels at the fastest speed. When all the colors of the visible spectrum are put together, we get white light.

Colors have been used for therapeutic purposes throughout history, and have also been used to describe one’s aurora or personality type. Since colors travel at different wavelengths they all have a different effect on humans and play a role in our moods and emotions. Since light and colors are full of energy they influence the amount of energy that flows throughout our bodies.