AQA GCSE Colours of white light(Physics)

YouTube video

This video is hosted by YouTube (Google). Allow Optional functionality in Cookie settings to load it. YouTube may then store or access information on your device and receive information about your visit.

Colours of White Light

White light is made up of 7 different colours of light. White light can be split up into these 7 colours using a glass prism. This process is called dispersion.

Dispersion of white light into seven colours using a glass prism to show red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet light

As the white light enters the prism it is refracted. The violet light component is refracted more than the red light. This is why the white light splits up into different colours. 

Also, note that the light is refracted twice, once on entering the prism and once on leaving the prism.

Primary and Secondary colours of light

There are primary colours of light and secondary colours of light  as shown below.

Primary colours of light (red,green and blue), secondary colours of light (magenta, cyan and yellow)

When two primary colours are mixed together, they form a secondary colour. 

E.g. Red and Green light will make yellow light. This is shown in the diagram above.

If all 3 primary colours are mixed together then white light is made.

Summary table for Secondary colours of light

Secondary colour of lightContains these primary colours
MagentaRed and Blue
CyanBlue and Green
YellowRed and Green

Practice Question

1.Write down the names of primary light colours which make up white light

2. Write down the names of the secondary light colours which make up white light

3. A red beam of light is mixed with a Cyan beam of light. What colour light is produced?

 

Cookie preferences

Optional categories start off. You can change your choice at any time using Cookie settings.

Withdrawing consent reloads this page to stop previously loaded optional scripts. Unsaved form entries may be lost.

Cookie purposes and service details