Color Mixing
This interactive simulator explores Color Mixing in Optics & Light. Additive (RGB) and subtractive (CMY) interactive color mixing. Use the controls to change the scenario; watch the visualization and any graphs or readouts to connect the model with lectures, labs, and homework.
Who it's for: Suited to beginners and first exposure to the topic. Typical context: Optics & Light.
Key terms
- color
- mixing
- color mixing
- optics
- light
How it works
Additive mixing applies to emissive displays: red, green, and blue light add to make the spectrum you see. Subtractive mixing applies to pigments and printing: cyan, magenta, and yellow inks each remove part of the reflected spectrum from white paper; the simple model R=255(1−C), G=255(1−M), B=255(1−Y) matches ideal filters on white light.
Key equations
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