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Comparatively Speaking: Spectral Color vs. Perceived Color

Figures

  • Figure 1. Spectral separation using a prism

    Figure 1. Spectral separation using a prism

    The splitting of white light into its components to produce color can be achieved with a variety of materials, one being a prism.

    Figure 1. Spectral separation using a prism

Tables

  • Table 1. The Wavelengths and Frequencies of Colors

    Table 1. The Wavelengths and Frequencies of Colors

     Color
    		Frequency
    		 Wavelength
    Violet 668–789 THz 380–450 nm
    Blue 631–668 THz 450–475 nm
    Cyan 606–630 THz 476–495 nm
    Green 526–606 THz 495–570 nm
    Yellow 508–526 tHz 570–590 nm
    Orange 484–508 THz 590–620 nm
    Red 400–484 THz  620–750 nm

                       

By: Anthony J. O'Lenick Jr., Siltech LLC; and Nick Morante, Nick Morante Cosmetic Consulting
Posted: January 10, 2012

Color is a visual sensation that results from the splitting of white light into its component wavelengths. Wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm). Table 1 shows the different colors and their corresponding frequencies and wavelengths.

The splitting of white light into its components to produce color can be achieved with a variety of materials such as a prism, as shown in Figure 1. In a prism, blue light is refracted more than the red light because the refractive index of the glass is a function of the wavelength of the light.

Spectral color is the amount of light in each wavelength that is contained within white light. This is determined instrumentally by splitting light with a prism. This was first accomplished by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666. This is something that is constant, and it can be measured and quantified with electronic equipment such as a spectrophotometer.

Perceived color is the color that can be ascertained by the human eye and brain. There can be limitations to this, as the human eye contain three types of cones, each responsible for evaluating the visual stimuli for red (R), green (G) and blue (B) similar to the tiny chromaphores in older television picture tubes. These approximate 7 million cones are responsible for daylight vision. Additionally, there are around 120 million rods in the human eye responsible for night vision. The ability to visually evaluate the sensations of color varies from person to person, man to woman, young to old. Any abnormality in the rods or cones or the optic nerve that transmits the stimulus or message from the eye to the brain will impact perceived color, which is sometimes called “color blindness.”

Color is an important part of the cosmetic industry. Mankind has used colors on the skin since ancient times. The Ancient Egyptians wore distinct eye makeup, rouge and perfumed oils that softened the skin and prevented sunburn and wind damage. Not only did the men and women of Egypt wear makeup, but the statues of their gods and goddesses also were adorned with all these different types of cosmetics. The higher the status of the person, the more clothes and makeup they wore.