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Technology Hall · EXH-0019
How does a screen build so many colors?
Three tiny light channels can combine into many screen colors.
Start the experience01
What should you look for?
Which numbers built the sampled color?
- 01The screen approaches white
- 02It becomes black pigment
- 03Only red remains
02
Why does this happen?
Screens use additive color
Red, green, and blue subpixels emit light. Different channel strengths combine in the eye into many perceived colors.
Paint follows a different process
Pigments absorb some incoming wavelengths and reflect others, so mixing paint is not the same operation as adding screen light.
Samples are generated in the browser and RGB values are illustrative 8-bit channel values.
03
Move it before reading the answer
Move through a built-in sample. Read the RGB numbers and compare additive screen light with paint.
Science source
The Electromagnetic Spectrum — ColorOpenStax Physics ↗