Why Do Colors Look Different Under Different Lamps?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do colors look different under different lamps?

The Big Idea

Different lamps give off different mixes of colors. A warm yellow bulb makes a lot of red and yellow light but little blue. So the same shirt can look different under each lamp!

Warm Lamps

Step one: warm bulbs give yellow light. They make plenty of red and yellow light, but not much blue. A blue shirt has little blue light to bounce back, so it can look duller.

Cool Lamps

Step two: cool white bulbs have more blue. More blue light is available, so blue things look brighter. Warm colors can look a little paler.

Daylight

Step three: daylight has a very full mix of colors. It has plenty of every color, so objects usually look the most true to life. That is why shoppers carry clothes to a window to check the real color.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Under a warm yellow lamp, reds and yellows glow. Under a cool white lamp, blues look brighter. In daylight, you get the fullest mix of colors. The toy is always the same, but the light changes how it looks.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Lamps give off different mixes of colors. Daylight has a very full mix of colors. Shoppers check clothes by a window for the real color. Ask a grown-up to help with lamps, and never look straight at a bright bulb.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, look at a colorful toy under a warm yellow lamp. Then look at it under a cool white one. Look at it in daylight too. Which colors changed the most?

Outro

Colors look different because each lamp gives off its own mix of light. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!