We live surrounded by visible and invisible waves of electromagnetic radiation. Simply put, it can be compared with the constantly worrying sea. Sometimes stormy, sometimes calm, but always in motion. The properties of these waves are very interesting. We can see a small part of them with the naked eye. Actually, they will be discussed in this article. Interesting facts about the colors of the visible spectrum will entertain you and, perhaps, even broaden your horizons.
Nature colors
The most interesting facts about flowers will be told not by the artist, not by the designer and not even by the florist, but by the physicist. After all, the very existence of this phenomenon is unique. Strictly speaking, technically color does not exist at all. This is just a subjective perception by an individual of white light reflected from an object . Moreover, the main process of “appearance” of color does not even occur at the level of perception (such as in the retina), but in the most complex interlacing of brain synapses. It is there that the wave radiation signal is interpreted in a certain way and a person, in fact, decides that he sees an object of one color or another.
A striking example of this process can serve as a sensational clarification of the question of what is the dress in the photograph: blue-black or white-gold. Thousands of people around the world have participated in discussions on this subject. And although even among neurobiologists and neurophysiologists there are various options for explaining this phenomenon, there is also a common thing in their theories - a clue in how our brain interprets the information received in it.
These amazing chromosomes
Some interesting facts about color are explained by genetics. So, the gene that is responsible for decoding shades of red is located on the X chromosome. Due to the fact that women have two X-chromosomes, and men have one, the fair sex distinguishes more shades of red. This gave rise, among other things, to a wave of jokes and Internet memes, which show how the wife asks her husband what, for example, he likes the nail polish. And in the photo there are three absolutely identical bottles with varnish. Well, apparently, these creations belong precisely to men who sincerely do not see the difference. Yes, and just can not see her. Dear women, however, it would be worth taking this feature into account and stop touting beloved men with such overwhelming tasks. Yes, and blame them for callousness and inattention!
Interesting facts about rainbow colors
Most often, a rainbow appears in the sky after rain. This is due to the fact that in the air there are moisture particles in suspension. Light falling on them is repeatedly refracted and as a result is decomposed into a full spectrum.
A rainbow consists of seven colors. So anyone you meet will tell you. Unless, of course, you meet him in our side. Well, the average Briton confidently declares that there are six of them. And it is good if at this moment there will not be a talkative tourist from China nearby. Otherwise, a noble dispute could have turned out. After all, in China, they believe that the rainbow has only five colors. The most minimalistic in this respect are the inhabitants of Arab countries. They see only four colors in the rainbow.
There is a secondary rainbow phenomenon. It appears when light is reflected from water droplets twice. In this regard, there are some interesting facts about the violet color. If in the usual single rainbow it is at the bottom, then on the secondary rainbow the order changes to the opposite and the violet color becomes the cornerstone. In the rarest cases, even a fourth-order rainbow can be observed.
Black and white
Is white the color or not? The artist will answer that white is the lack of color. But the physicist will not agree with him. Because exact science claims that white is the combination of all colors. But black is just the lack of color. Although most mere mortals intuitively disagree with them. And it is not yet proven who is right. Such interesting facts about the colors of black and white are becoming subjects of serious research.
The wantablack material has already been created, which almost completely absorbs the radiation incident on it. It remains 99.965% of the light. Because of this, the human eye cannot perceive this material three-dimensionally. It seems that you just see a black hole in nothing, absolutely bottomless. Moreover, for a person, the wantablack always looks two-dimensional. Like a hole on a plane.
Interesting facts about traffic light colors
The red color was not chosen for the prohibition signal of traffic lights. The fact is that waves of this length propagate best and are quickly caught by the human eye. In other words, it's easiest to spot. And this is especially important in conditions of poor visibility, for example, in fog.
Also universal for all countries is the arrangement of colors: red-yellow-green. This is done so that people with color blindness can also receive signals without problems. And since there are people who do not recognize red and green colors, in modern traffic lights the red color is somewhat shifted to the orange tint, and green to blue.
Only in one city is there a traffic light in which the red signal is located at the bottom, and the green at the top. It happened so historically. In the small town of Tipperary Hill, many descendants of the Irish live. The national color of this country is green. And the red color is associated with Britain. When a traffic light was installed in 1925, Irish youth began to demand that green be placed above red. Naturally, they were refused this. Then they began to protest, time after time breaking glass at this traffic light. After three years of unsuccessful attempts to restore order, the district received municipal permission for a traffic light with the reverse order of color signals.
The effect of color on humans
The prevailing color scheme in the wardrobe and interior can tell a lot about a person. Psychologists say that brave and strong-willed people gravitate toward red. It also indicates that a person is most likely sociable, but, at the same time, can be quick-tempered and unrestrained.
But yellow lovers are more calm, easily adapt to changing circumstances. These people are cheerful and moderately curious. It is believed that they are inherent in sociability and intelligence.
By the way, interesting facts about flowers and their effect on a person’s mood are increasingly used by designers to achieve the best results in the field of commerce. For example, it is good to use blue color in a room for negotiations, because it sets in a friendly manner and helps to better absorb information. A red palette stimulates performance, but it is important not to overdo it, because this color also increases aggressiveness.
The difference in perception of color between people and representatives of fauna
Representatives of the animal world do not always see the environment as we do. For the perception of color in the human eye, there are three types of cones. Dogs have only two. Therefore, our four-legged friends do not even imagine the existence of red color and its many shades. But some butterflies are gifted with five color receptors. This means that they see colors that we can neither simulate nor imagine.
But snakes generally do not distinguish between the colors that we see. But they are available infrared. Bees perfectly distinguish the opposite part of the spectrum - the colors of the ultraviolet series. Squids in relation to color perception are somewhat limited - only blue and its shades are available to them. But octopuses not only distinguish colors well, but also successfully communicate with each other by changing colors.
Language of flowers
At the dawn of the XVIII century, the Swedish king Charles II went on a diplomatic visit to Persia. In this country, with such exotic customs for the European, he was particularly interested in some interesting facts about flowers and plants. There was a special language of flowers. With the help of a bouquet it was possible to express not only sympathy, but also to describe a wide range of emotions - from embarrassment and innocence to passionate passion, and from burning hatred to indifference.
Fashion Variability
If you suddenly fell into the hands of a magazine from the beginning of the twentieth century, you could well have stumbled upon very unexpected recommendations about the color scheme for newborns and very interesting facts about flowers. For children, they were advised to choose pink and blue suits, but pink was considered strong and decisive, and therefore suitable for boys, and blue - graceful and sophisticated, more suitable for young ladies.