Color concept
Wavelength
A basic measurement concept for light, used to describe spectral color but not identical with perceived color.
Core concept Physics of light future
What it is
Wavelength is the distance between repeating peaks in a light wave. It helps describe spectral light, but human color experience is shaped by the eye, brain, context, and mixtures of wavelengths.
Basics
- Wavelength is measured in nanometers for visible light.
- Visible wavelengths are only one part of electromagnetic radiation.
- A perceived color can be produced by many different spectral mixtures, so wavelength is not the whole story.
Notes for later expansion
- Later expansion should connect wavelength to spectrum, metamerism, RGB, and structural color.
- Important claim discipline: do not reduce every color experience to a single wavelength.