2.1 The physics of light and colour
Physics is the science that deals with energy and matter. To understand what colour is and how we see it, we need to explore the physical properties of light as a form of energy and how it interacts with matter – the objects we see.
This section explains the following physics-related topics in an introductory way with videos, links, and learning activities to help you to extend your knowledge of the physics of light and colour.
Topics covered:
- Light: electromagnetic radiation
Learn about the weird science of light – is it a wave or a particle? - Optics 1: lenses and ocular devices
Lenses, camera obscura, camera lucida, kaleidoscopes and 3D glasses - Optics 2: electronic technologies and spectral analysis
Lasers, optical fibre, photovoltaic cells, and spectral analysis in astronomy - Why are things different colours?
How light is absorbed or reflected by objects
