The seven colors of sunlight, also known as the colors of the rainbow, are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. These colors become visible when sunlight is refracted, such as when it passes through a prism or water droplets.
Sunlight is composed of visible light which consists of a spectrum of colors. These colors have varying wavelengths and energy levels, as shown below.
Sunlight Colors and Their Characteristics
| Color | Wavelength | Energy Level |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Longer Wavelength | Lower Energy |
| Orange | Longer Wavelength | Lower Energy |
| Yellow | Longer Wavelength | Lower Energy |
| Green | Medium Wavelength | Medium Energy |
| Blue | Shorter Wavelength | Higher Energy |
| Indigo | Shorter Wavelength | Higher Energy |
| Violet | Shorter Wavelength | Higher Energy |
The light travels in waves that are too small and fast for us to see. Colors like red, orange, and yellow travel in longer waves and have less energy.
The rainbow colors are the result of the different wavelengths of light that make up sunlight. When sunlight passes through a medium like a raindrop or a prism, it bends and separates into its component colors. This is called refraction. This is why we see rainbows after a rain shower or when light shines through a glass prism.
- Sunlight is composed of all rainbow colors.
- The colors of sunlight are also known as the colors of the rainbow.
- Red, orange, and yellow travel in longer waves and have less energy.
- Blue, indigo, and violet travel in shorter waves and have more energy.
