Although the electromagnetic spectrum covers a wide range of wavelengths of light, we can see just a small portion of those wavelengths. The scientific term for these viewable wavelengths--which we call colors--is "visible light."
In the space below, write one sentence describing how the different wavelengths of visible light appear to your eyes. Then write another sentence describing the way in whiich visible light travels from the sun to your eyes.
Watch this animation to find out more about the light we see.
Stop the animation at any time, watch it again, or read the transcript. Then, answer the questions at the bottom of the page in the Take Notes box.
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Consider a rainbow. Although it may seem magical, what you are really seeing is an incredibly accurate visual representation of the electromagnetic spectrum. Each of those colors your eyes detect is an example of different wavelengths and different frequencies of energy being transferred from the sun, through the vacuum of space, refracting through the particles in the atmosphere, entering your eye and being processed by your brain.. And incredibly, the light we see is only a tiny fraction of the electromagnetic energy traveling all around us and even through us.
Humans can detect wavelengths between 700 nm (red) and 400 nm (violet) with our naked eyes. These wavelengths are what we call visible light. All other wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation are invisible to us--we can't see it, even though it is there.
So although a rainbow may seem magical, the two little energy detectors in your head (eyes) deserve some credit too.
In the space below write a sentence describing how the different wavelengths of visible light appear to your eyes. Write another sentence describing the path visible light takes from the sun to your eyes, also known as light energy detectors.