Re: [Phys-l] experiments with dyes (was: happy equinox)

[Dan MacIsaac <danmacisaac@mac.com>]

A nice discussion/  example / analysis of color brightness
and blackbody radiation:

Spitzer Science Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(2008).  Ask An Astronomer PodCast: Why Aren't There Any Green Stars?

Retrieved March 10, 2008 from

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/ask_astronomer/ 
video/



Dan MacIsaac, Associate Professor of Physics, SUNY-Buffalo State College
222SciBldg BSC, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14222 USA 716-878-3802
<macisadl@buffalostate.edu>  <http://PhysicsEd.BuffaloState.edu>
Physics Graduate Coordinator & Dept Chair Pro Tem (acting Jan-Aug 2008)




On Mar 28, 2008, at 5:49 PM, Larry Woolf wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clarence Bennett
> Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 8:47 AM
> To: Forum for Physics Educators
> Subject: Re: [Phys-l] experiments with dyes (was: happy equinox)
>
> Is this the reason that yellow, light green and light blue, that look
> so good on laptops where power points are prepared, vanish into the
> background when projected?  And what can be done about it?
>
> ===========================================================
>
> The luminance channel in our color vision system is mostly due to the
> middle (green) and long (red) wavelength cones.
> <http://www.yorku.ca/eye/luminanc.htm>
>
> So colors that differ only in the amount of blue light can be  
> difficult
> to discern, since they stimulate the same amount of luminance.
>
> Those color combinations that differ in the amount of blue light
> include:
> White (R+G+B)/Yellow (R+G)
> Blue (B)/Black
> Magenta (R+B)/Red (R)
> Cyan (G+B)/Green (G)
>
> So in general, these are color combinations to avoid.  If you use a
> white background, don't use yellow letters.  If you use a black
> background, don't use blue letters. They are hard to see on a  
> monitor or
> projected on a screen.
>
> Complementary colors tend to stand out the best.
> White/Black
> Red/Cyan
> Green/Magenta
> Blue/Yellow
>
> Larry Woolf
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