Atmosphere Contents

2. Solar Energy

Colours correspond with particular wavelengths

Visible light extends roughly from about 400 nanometres (nm) (violet), to 700 nm (red) in terms of wavelength. Rough values of the other apparent colours are 450 nm (blue), 500 nm (green), 580 nm (yellow), 630 nm (red). This light is visible simply because it is able to stimulate the colour cones in the retinas of the human eye. Ultraviolet radiation goes down in wavelength below 400nm, whilst infrared radiation goes up in radiation above 700 nm, as indicated in the radiation spectrum.

Visible light

What makes light visible?