Color Addition


Purpose

Students use the Light Box and Optical Set to observe the results of combining beams of colored light. Concepts include primary and secondary color addition and complementary colors.

Discussion
In this lab, students explored the principles of additive color mixing by combining red, green, and blue light to create secondary colors like cyan, magenta, and yellow, as well as white light when all three colors were mixed. The experiment demonstrated the physics behind color addition, providing a clear visual representation of how the primary colors of light combine to produce the spectrum we see in digital displays and other technologies. Ask students to connect these observations to real-world applications, such as how screens and stage lighting utilize additive color mixing to achieve vibrant and precise hues.

Required Equipment


Dale Freeland

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dale Freeland for his work in developing this lab. Dale is an award-winning physics teacher and co-author of our Light & Color Teachers Guide. You may also have seen him present physics related workshops at NSTA conferences and State science conferences around the country.