The perception of color is not solely determined by the wavelength of light. While it is true that red light has a longer wavelength compared to blue light, the perception of color is a complex phenomenon that involves our eyes, visual system, and how our brain processes the information.
Color perception is primarily based on the response of specialized cells in our eyes called cones. These cones are sensitive to different ranges of wavelengths within the visible light spectrum. They are often categorized into three types: red-sensitive cones, green-sensitive cones, and blue-sensitive cones. The response of these cones to different wavelengths of light helps us distinguish different colors.
When light enters our eyes, the cones are stimulated by different wavelengths. The red-sensitive cones are most sensitive to longer wavelengths, the green-sensitive cones respond to medium wavelengths, and the blue-sensitive cones are most responsive to shorter wavelengths. However, it's important to note that our perception of color is not solely determined by the specific wavelength of light but also by the relative stimulation of these cones.
In the case of red and blue, both colors can evoke a sensation of "blue" and "red," respectively, due to the specific patterns of cone stimulation. While red light has a longer wavelength and blue light has a shorter wavelength, they can both activate different combinations of cone cells in our eyes and lead to our perception of distinct colors.
Therefore, the perception of color involves a complex interplay between the physical properties of light, the sensitivity of our visual system, and the processing that occurs in our brain. It's this intricate system that allows us to perceive colors like red and blue as distinct despite their differences in wavelength.