Spectrum

What it is

A spectrum appears when light is separated by wavelength, such as through a prism or diffraction grating. It is a powerful image for color education, but it does not contain every perceived color.

Basics

• The visible spectrum runs roughly from violet/blue through green and yellow to red.
• Purple and magenta are not single spectral bands; they connect across the ends of the spectrum perceptually.
• Spectra explain light, while color wheels and chromaticity diagrams explain other relationships.

Notes for later expansion

• Later expansion should compare spectrum, color wheel, and chromaticity diagram.
• Good cross-links: Light, Wavelength, Line of Purples, RGB.

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