Book 13, Question 39
Why Does Adding White Paint Make a Color Lighter?
White paint reflects almost all light. Adding it to a color means more light bounces back, so the color looks paler and lighter. Artists call this a tint!
More fun facts
- Pigments in paint balance which light is absorbed and which is reflected.
- The colors we see are the light that is reflected.
- Ordinary white paint reflects about 80 to 90 percent of sunlight.
- Scientists made an ultra white paint that reflects about 98 percent of sunlight.
- Ultra white paint could help keep buildings and even planes cooler.
Sources: NASA, Smithsonian Magazine, BBC
Questions kids ask
Why does white paint stay cool?
It reflects most sunlight instead of absorbing it.