Color Subtraction

The Color Subtraction Video Tutorial explains the interaction between light and the surface upon which it lands, with the interest of explaining why objects appear the color that they appear. Principles of color subtraction are described and applied to numerous situations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

How does the interaction between light and the objects it shines on affect the appearance of an object?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Physics Interactives: Stage Lighting
We have eight actors standing on stage now, waiting for you to view them in various colors of incident light. It's a great chance to interact and experiment. Bring your pop corn and soda and enjoy.

Physics Interactives: Colored Shadows
No colored lights at home! No worries! We have just the set up for you. Flip red, green, and blue lights on and off and illuminate a person standing in front of a white screen. Observe the result of both color subtraction and color addition as you view the colored shadows cast on the screen.

Concept Builder: Color Addition and Subtraction
Our Concept Builders are always one of the best things that you can do to solidfy your learning. Give this one a try!

Concept Builder: If This, Then That - Color Subtraction
Take the challenge of applying your newly learned Concepts to complete all three difficulty levels of the If This, Then That Concept Builder. Great thinking. Great interactions.

Minds On Physics the App, Part 5, Light and Color Module, Missions LC4-LC5
If you want a Physics work out, then you will find it in our Minds On Physics apps. Purchase it for your phone or tablet and start lifting. Missions LC4-LC5 pertains to the topic of color addition. Don't forget to use the textbook icon for help.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Light Waves and Color Chapter, Lesson 2 - Color Subtraction
The Tutorial section of our website explains and illustrates Physics concepts in an easy-to-understand language and a logical manner. This page in particular will provide strong Tutorial support for the lesson in this video:

Teacher Resources

Physics Interactives: Stage Lighting
Our interactive simulations allow students to manipulate a variable and observe the result. In this sim, students can alter the clothing of the actors on stage and alter the color of the stage lights and observe the color appearance of the actors. Awesome interactivity. Comes with a ready-to-use classroom activity.

Physics Interactives: Colored Shadows
Flip red, green, and blue lights on and off and illuminate a person standing in front of a white screen. Observe the result of both color subtraction and color addition as you view the colored shadows cast on the screen. Do the demo first; then allow students to interact with the sim.

Concept Builder: Color Addition and Subtraction
If you're not using Concept Builders, then you need to check them out. These interactive questioning modules probe student understanding in a playful manner ... with Stars, Trophies, and Dataways. With a Task Tracker account, you can easily track student progress. It's easy-peasy. Try this one on color addition and subtraction.

Concept Builder: If This, Then That - Color Subtraction
Like many of our Concept Builders, the If This, Then That Concept Builder provides a great challenge to apply physics principles while using a good deal of logical reasoning.

Minds On Physics the App, Part 5, Light and Color Module, Missions LC4-LC5
Our Minds On Physics apps provide serious students a challenging tool for improving their game. App #5 includes three modules, one of which is Light and Color. Missions LC4-LC5 are a great complement to this Video Tutorial.

Curriculum Corner, Light and Color Section
Our free curriculum provides a great tool for skilled teachers to use with students within the classroom. Either as independent practice or group work, our Think Sheets provide an exceptional means of processing the ideas in this video. Try one of the following:
Reflection, Transmission, and Color
Color Addition and Subtraction

Teacher Toolkits - Color Addition and Subtraction
We love our Teacher Toolkits. You will too. They include a collection of annotated links to vetted resources from accross the web that we feel coordinate very well with the resources on our own website. Check this one out!

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.