When white light passes through cyan filter?

Transmission of White Light Through a Cyan Filter

When white light, which comprises the full spectrum of visible light, passes through a cyan filter, a specific selection of wavelengths is allowed to pass while others are absorbed. This process significantly alters the composition of the light that emerges from the filter.

What is a Cyan Filter?

A cyan filter is a photographic or optical filter that specifically absorbs red light and allows green and blue light to pass through. It is one of the subtractive primary colors, alongside magenta and yellow, used in color printing and photography to filter light.

How It Works

When white light, which contains all the colors of the spectrum, enters a cyan filter, the filter absorbs the red wavelengths of light and allows the blue and green wavelengths to pass through. This is because the cyan filter is designed to block out red light, effectively removing red tones from any light that passes through it.

Resulting Light

The light that emerges from the cyan filter appears cyan because it is a mixture of blue and green light. The absence of red light means that the combination of the transmitted light does not represent the full spectrum of visible light, hence the distinct cyan coloration.

Applications

• Photography: Cyan filters are used in color correction and to enhance contrast in black and white photography.
• Lighting Design: In theatrical productions or concerts, cyan filters can alter the mood or atmosphere by changing the color of the light.
• Optical Instruments: Cyan filters can be used in scientific instruments to filter out specific wavelengths for various experiments and observations.

In summary, the transmission of white light through a cyan filter results in the absorption of red wavelengths, allowing only blue and green wavelengths to pass. This selective transmission gives the light a cyan appearance, which has various applications in photography, lighting design, and scientific research.