We’ve all learned about the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. But have you ever wondered why pink isn’t on that list? That’s because there’s no such thing as “pink light” in the rainbow. So, where does pink come from?
Pink, also known as magenta or fuchsia, is actually a combination of red and blue light. These colors are at opposite ends of the rainbow, and when they mix, our brains perceive them as a single color: pink.
If you imagine rolling up the rainbow into a circle to create a color wheel, you’d notice a gap between red and blue. This gap is where all the other types of light in the universe, like radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays, would go. However, since we can’t see these types of light, our brains fill in the gap with pink.
In terms of light, pink can be thought of as “minus-green.” This means that pink is what’s left when you remove green from white light. So, while pink isn’t a color of light on its own, it’s a fascinating blend that our brains create from the colors we can see.
Using colored pencils or markers, draw a color wheel on a piece of paper. Include the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Then, identify the gap between red and blue and fill it in with pink. This will help you visualize how pink fits into the spectrum of colors.
Gather a flashlight, red and blue cellophane, and a white surface. Cover the flashlight with the red cellophane and shine it on the surface. Then, do the same with the blue cellophane. Finally, overlap the red and blue cellophane on the flashlight and observe the resulting color. This experiment will show you how pink is created by mixing red and blue light.
Use a computer or tablet to explore a digital color mixing tool. Start with white light and adjust the sliders to remove green. Notice how the color changes to pink. This activity will help you understand the concept of pink as “minus-green.”
In small groups, discuss how our brains perceive colors that aren’t actually present in the light spectrum, like pink. Share your thoughts on why our brains might fill in gaps with certain colors. This discussion will deepen your understanding of color perception.
Choose one type of invisible light (e.g., infrared, ultraviolet) and research its properties and uses. Create a short presentation to share with the class. This project will expand your knowledge of the light spectrum beyond visible colors.
Pink – A color that is a pale tint of red, often seen when red light is mixed with white light. – When white light passes through a prism, it can create a spectrum of colors, including pink.
Light – Electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye and is responsible for the sense of sight. – Light travels in straight lines and can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed by different materials.
Color – The characteristic of visual perception described through color categories, with names such as red, blue, and green, which are determined by the light spectrum. – The color of an object is determined by the wavelengths of light it reflects.
Rainbow – A meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. – After the rain, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky, showing all the colors from red to violet.
Red – A color at the end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet, with a wavelength of approximately 620–750 nm. – Red light has the longest wavelength of all the visible colors.
Blue – A color in the visible spectrum, located between green and violet, with a wavelength of approximately 450–495 nm. – The sky appears blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light.
Brain – The organ in the human body that processes information from the senses and controls the body’s responses. – The brain interprets signals from the eyes to help us understand the colors we see.
Wheel – A circular object that can rotate around an axis, often used to demonstrate concepts of motion and force in physics. – In a physics experiment, a wheel can be used to study rotational motion and friction.
Green – A color in the visible spectrum, located between blue and yellow, with a wavelength of approximately 495–570 nm. – Leaves appear green because they reflect green light and absorb other colors.
Universe – All of space and everything in it, including stars, planets, galaxies, and all forms of matter and energy. – Scientists study the universe to understand its origins, structure, and the laws of physics that govern it.
