The scientific explanation behind color mixing lies in the interaction of light with our visual system and the way our eyes perceive different wavelengths of light.
Color is a perception that arises from the interaction between light and the specialized cells in our eyes called cones. Cones are sensitive to different ranges of wavelengths, corresponding to different colors. The three types of cones are primarily sensitive to short (blue), medium (green), and long (red) wavelengths of light.
When different colors of light enter our eyes, they stimulate these cones to varying degrees. The brain then processes the signals from these cones and interprets the combination of signals as a specific color. This process is known as additive color mixing.
Additive Color Mixing: Additive color mixing occurs when different colored lights are combined, such as the mixing of red, green, and blue (RGB) lights. Each primary color light stimulates its respective cone cells, and the brain interprets the combination of signals as a new color.
When red and green lights are mixed, both the red-sensitive and green-sensitive cones are stimulated, and the brain perceives the combination as yellow. Similarly, mixing blue and green lights stimulates the green and blue cones, resulting in the perception of cyan. Mixing red and blue lights stimulates the red and blue cones, leading to the perception of magenta. When all three primary colors (red, green, and blue) are combined, the brain perceives white light.
Subtractive Color Mixing: Subtractive color mixing involves the mixing of pigments or dyes that selectively absorb certain wavelengths of light while reflecting others. When pigments are mixed, each pigment absorbs some wavelengths of light, and the combination of the reflected light determines the perceived color.
For example, when you mix cyan and yellow pigments, the cyan pigment absorbs red wavelengths, and the yellow pigment absorbs blue wavelengths. The combination of the remaining green wavelengths reflects back, resulting in the perception of green.
Subtractive color mixing is commonly observed in the printing industry and traditional art, where mixing different colored inks or paints creates new colors.
In both additive and subtractive color mixing, the perception of new colors arises from the interaction of different wavelengths of light with our visual system, specifically the cones in our eyes and the subsequent processing by our brain.