It ranges in wavelength from approximately 400 nanometers (4 x 10 -7 m, which is violet) to 700 nm (7 x 10-7 m, which is red). It is also known as the optical spectrum of light or the spectrum of white light. Visible light has a wavelength range from ~400 nm to ~700 nm. Colors consisting of a single wavelength are called spectral colors or pure colors. A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths from about 390 to 750 nm (0.39 to 0.75 µm). Light waves with longer wavelengths have lower frequency and … ", "The wavelengths of the light we can see range from 400 to 700 billionths of a meter. Sight allows us to differentiate between things, to know when something is moving towards us or away from us and to react to hazardous conditions before they cause any harm. These wavelengths range from 700 nm at the red end of the spectrum to 400 nm at the violet end. Every wavelength of light corresponds to a color which was assigned by people for easier recognition. The waves like electromagnetic with high frequencies & shorter wavelengths include different rays like UV, gamma and X-rays. The visible portion of the spectrum is that which can be perceived by the human eye. Most light that we interact with is in the form of white light, which contains many or all of these wavelength ranges. Visible light spectrum. Light waves with shorter wavelengths have higher frequency and higher energy. If you look closely at a rainbow or spectrum, you might notice that cyan also appears between green and blue. The visible light spectrum is the section of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Red light has a wavelength of ~700 nm, and a frequency of ~4.3*10 14 Hz. Electromagnetic radiation in this range of wavelengths is often simply referred to as “light”. Visible light, as called the visible spectrum, is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to (can be detected by) the human eye. ", ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. By using special sources, refractors, and filters, you can get a narrow band of about 10 nanometers in wavelength that is considered monochromatic light. Lasers are special because they are the most consistent source of narrowly monochromatic light that we can achieve. Unsaturated colors such as pink and aqua are also distinguishable, as well as brown and tan. Some sources vary these ranges pretty drastically and their boundaries are somewhat approximate, as they blend into each other. Visible light is the small part within the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes are sensitive to and can detect. Shining white light through a prism causes the wavelengths to bend at slightly different angles due to optical refraction. It ranges in wavelength from approximately 400 nanometers (4 x 10 -7 m, which is violet) to 700 nm (7 x 10-7 m, which is red). If all the waves are absorbed and none reach our eye then we do not see anything and the image before us appears as having the color of black. Human beings posses five senses, which include the ability to see, hear, taste smell and feel. The wavelength of light, which is related to frequency and energy, determines the perceived color. The colour of visible light depends on its wavelength. That rather depends on whom you ask. The visible light region ranges in wavelengths from about 380 or 400 nm to 700 or 780 nm depending on which source is used. The longer wavelengths appear as red while the shorter visible wavelengths appear as blue or violet. Visible light or visible spectrum is a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum.