Spectral colour refers to the array of colours found in the electromagnetic spectrum. The spelling of this phrase can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Spectral" is pronounced /ˈspɛktrəl/, with the stressed syllable being the second syllable. The last syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, /əl/. "Colour" is pronounced /ˈkʌlər/ in IPA, with the stress on the first syllable. The spelling of "spectral colour" accurately reflects the sounds found in the English language.
Spectral colour is a term used in physics and optics to describe a specific hue of light that is part of the visible spectrum. The visible spectrum refers to the range of electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the human eye. It spans from red, which has the longest wavelength, to violet, which has the shortest wavelength. Spectral colours are those pure hues that are produced by a single wavelength of light.
Unlike other colours that can be obtained by mixing different wavelengths, spectral colours cannot be further decomposed into other colours. They are the building blocks of all visible colours and serve as the basis for the colour wheel used in art and design.
The concept of spectral colour is directly linked to the theories of light and colour perception, such as Isaac Newton's experiments with prisms and his discovery of the spectrum of colours. Each spectral colour, from red to violet, has its unique wavelength and frequency, thereby creating a distinct visual experience.
Spectral colours play a crucial role in various fields, including physics, optics, and colorimetry. They are used to understand the behavior of light, analyze materials through spectroscopy, and create accurate colour reproduction models. By studying spectral colours, scientists and researchers gain insights into the properties of light and its interaction with matter, leading to advancements in various scientific and technological disciplines.
The term "spectral color" is derived from the Latin word "spectrum", which means "appearance" or "image". An earlier Latin term "spectrum" referred to the image or appearance of something seen, specifically a vision or phantom. In the context of light, a spectrum refers to the continuous range of colors that make up white light when separated by a prism or diffraction grating. These individual colors are called "spectral colors" because they are associated with specific wavelengths of light.