The wavelength of light determines its color. When white light, which contains all the colors of the visible spectrum, shines through a prism, it separates into the familiar rainbow of colors from red to violet. Light with longer wavelengths appears red, while light with shorter wavelengths looks blue or violet. In between, the light wavelengths produce all the other colors of the rainbow. So what determines the wavelength of a specific color like pink? Let’s take a closer look at how wavelength, frequency, and energy relate to pink light.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Visible light that humans can see is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays. These are all electromagnetic waves that move through space at the speed of light. The only difference between them is their wavelength and frequency.
Wavelength refers to the distance between consecutive peaks or troughs in an electromagnetic wave. It is measured in nanometers (nm) or micrometers (μm). Wavelength determines the energy of the electromagnetic waves. Longer wavelengths have lower energy, while shorter wavelengths have higher energy.
Visible Light Wavelengths
The visible spectrum that humans can see only makes up a small portion of the full electromagnetic spectrum. It ranges in wavelength from about 380-750 nm. The visible spectrum can be broken down into the following wavelength ranges:
| Color | Wavelength range (nm) |
|---|---|
| Violet | 380-450 |
| Blue | 450-495 |
| Green | 495-570 |
| Yellow | 570-590 |
| Orange | 590-620 |
| Red | 620-750 |
As shown in the table, violet and blue light have the shortest wavelengths, while red has the longest wavelength. The other colors fall somewhere in between. Our eyes detect these different wavelengths as different colors.
Where Does Pink Fit In?
So where does pink fall on the visible light spectrum? Since it is somewhere between red and violet, its wavelength is between the ranges for those colors.
Pink is not one specific wavelength, but rather a range of wavelengths. Pure pink light is composed of a mix of red and violet wavelengths. Different proportions of red and violet light will produce variations in shades of pink.
Soft or pale pink contains more red light and has a wavelength towards the upper end of the red range – around 700 nm. Brilliant or bright pink contains more violet wavelengths around 400-450 nm range. Vivid hot pink is closer to the violet end of the spectrum.
There are infinite shades of pink between red and violet, each with a slightly different wavelength. But in general, most shades of pink light have wavelengths between 620-450 nm.
Wavelength and Frequency
The wavelength of light is related to its frequency. Frequency refers to the number of wave cycles that pass a point per second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Longer wavelength light has a lower frequency, while shorter wavelength light has a higher frequency. This is because shorter waves pack in more cycles per second.
The wavelength and frequency of light are connected by this basic equation:
Frequency x Wavelength = Speed of light
Where speed of light is a constant (3 x 10^8 m/s).
So for pink light with a wavelength of 600 nm:
Frequency = (Speed of light) / Wavelength
Frequency = (3 x 10^8 m/s) / 600 x 10^-9 m
Frequency = 5 x 10^14 Hz
Therefore, typical pink light with a wavelength of 600 nm has a frequency of around 500 trillion Hertz.
Energy of Pink Light
As mentioned before, wavelength also determines the energy of the electromagnetic radiation. Shorter wavelengths have higher frequencies and higher energy. Violet and blue light is the highest energy visible light. Red has the lowest energy.
Photons are particles of light that carry amounts of energy proportional to their frequency and inversely proportional to their wavelength. A photon of red light will have less energy than a photon of violet light.
We can calculate the energy of pink light using the photon energy equation:
Photon Energy = Planck constant x Frequency
Where Planck’s constant is 6.626 x 10^-34 Joule-seconds.
For pink light at 600 nm wavelength and a corresponding frequency of 5 x 10^14 Hz:
Photon Energy = (6.626 x 10^-34 J-s) x (5 x 10^14 Hz)
Photon Energy = 3.3 x 10^-19 J
So a single photon of 600 nm pink light carries around 3.3 x 10^-19 Joules of energy. This small quantity of energy gives pink light its unique color.
Mixing Colors to Make Pink
When it comes to pigments and dyes that absorb certain wavelengths, pink can be made by mixing red and white. Printers and screens mix magenta (purplish-red) and white to make various tints of pink.
In paints, pastels, crayons, and other color media, red pigments are combined with white/black pigments or the canvas base color to create pink hues. Vermillion, carmine, and magenta red pigments are often used. Adding more white makes the pink lighter, while adding black darkens the shade.
So while pure pink light is a mix of red and violet wavelengths, pink pigments are a mix of red and white/black pigments that reflect back pink wavelengths.
Pink in Nature
In nature, the pink color found in plants, animals, and microorganisms is also created by combinations of red, violet, and white light.
Here are some examples of pink colors produced naturally:
| Pink Color | Source |
|---|---|
| Pink flowers like roses, tulips, azaleas | Pigments like anthocyanins reflecting red and violet light |
| Pink lakes | Algae blooms absorbing blue/green light and reflecting back red |
| Pink flamingos | Diet of carotenoid pigments |
| Pink corals | Red fluorescent proteins |
The specific biology and chemistry behind each example is complex. But in essence, molecules, proteins, or cell structures in the organism are selectively absorbing some visible wavelengths while reflecting back dominantly red wavelengths mixed with shorter violet/blue wavelengths – creating the color pink.
Pink in Human Vision
When pink wavelengths of light enter the human eye, they focus onto the retina, where specialized photoreceptor cells called cone cells detect the light.
There are three types of cone cells that are sensitive to short (blue), medium (green), and long (red) wavelengths. Pink light stimulates the red cones moderately and the blue cones slightly. The brain processes these cone cell signals as the color pink.
However, cone cells eventually adapt to colors they are exposed to for a prolonged time. This is why someone staring at a pink image for 30 seconds may start to perceive it as more white or gray – the cones have adapted to the pink color. When looking away, the complementary color green may be visible temporarily as the cones readjust.
Measuring Pink Wavelengths
Since pink spans a wide range of wavelengths, measuring its exact wavelength requires sensitive instruments.
Spectrophotometers are tools used to measure the spectrum of light. They shine light through a prism to separate the different wavelengths and measure the intensity of light at each wavelength.
By analyzing the spikes in intensity at different wavelengths, the spectrophotometer can identify the predominant wavelengths that make up a color. For pink, there will be peaks in the long red wavelengths and shorter violet wavelengths.
Spectrophotometers are used in labs, hospitals, manufacturing, forensics, and more applications to characterize and specify colors. The precise pink wavelength can be reported based on the spectrophotometer results.
Pink in Lighting
Pink lighting, such as pink neon signs or party lights, can be produced by a few methods:
– Colored LEDs: LEDs emit pure wavelengths of light. Pink LEDs contain a phosphor coating that converts some blue light to red to produce an overall pink color.
– Pink filters: White light can pass through a pink colored filter that selectively absorbs greens and blues, allowing reds and violets to pass through, creating pink lighting.
– Gas discharge tubes: When certain gases like neon or argon are excited by electricity, they emit specific wavelengths that appear pink. Neon signs commonly use this to make pink lighting.
– Blacklights: Blacklight tubes produce ultraviolet light that excites pink fluorescent coatings or ink, making them glow pink.
So while pink pigments mix reds and whites, true pink lighting is created by directly producing or filtering light waves in the pink wavelength range.
Pink in Printing and Design
In color printing and design, pink is considered a tertiary color, meaning it is made by combining the primary colors (red, blue, yellow).
Specifically, pink is made by mixing different amounts of magenta (reddish) and white pigments. Here are some common pink color mixes used in printing:
| Pink name | Magenta | White |
|---|---|---|
| Shocking pink | 100% | 0% |
| Cotton candy | 25% | 75% |
| Pastel pink | 10% | 90% |
Adding more white makes the pink lighter, while increasing magenta makes it brighter. Professional designers may mix custom pinks by adjusting magenta and white percentages.
The printed pink color is dependent on the ink’s pigments reflecting certain light wavelengths. Modern digital printing also mixes RGB light on screens to make various pink shades.
Psychology of Pink
It’s a common belief that pink is a feminine color associated with girls, women, romance, and affection. But why is pink seen this way?
The connection between pink and gender actually has a short history. Before the 1940s, both boys and girls often wore pink clothing. The strong association between pink and girls only started in the 1950s and 1960s as mass marketing took off. Advertisers promoted pink for girls and blue for boys. The trend caught on and pink became ingrained as a female gender color.
From a psychological perspective, softer pinks are thought to have a calming, soothing effect linked with caregiving and warmth. Brighter pinks grab attention and convey fun, optimism, and youthfulness. Research on responses to pink shows both positive and negative reactions based on personal experiences and cultural associations.
While pink has undeniably become linked with female gender roles in many modern societies, its intrinsic calming or lively effects likely tie back to the light wavelengths being processed in our visual system, like any color. The specific associations attached to pink then depend on social conditioning and experiences.
Common Pink Shades
There are endless variations of pink, ranging from pale bashful pinks to vibrant screaming pinks. Here are some of the most common pink shades and their approximate wavelengths:
| Pink name | Wavelength (nm) |
|---|---|
| Pastel pink | 620-660 |
| Light pink | 590-620 |
| Hot pink | 570-590 |
| Deep pink | 540-570 |
| Fuchsia | 480-540 |
pink color names convey subtle differences in lightness, saturation, and hue that give each shade of pink a unique personality.
Unusual Shades of Pink
While pink is defined as a mix of red and violet, some unusual variations push the boundaries of what we consider pink. Here are some examples of less common pink types:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Baker-Miller pink | Very light pink thought to have calming effects |
| Piggy pink | Mix of pink, peach, brown, and yellow |
| Mountbatten pink | Grayish tan tone named after Lord Mountbatten |
These unique pinks demonstrate how changing the red/violet light mix ratio or adding new hues results in colors on the fringes of pink that some may not even classify as pink at all. It illustrates the subjective and imprecise nature of color names.
Pink in Fashion and Clothing
Pink is a prevalent color in women’s fashion. It has gone through cycles of popularity over the past century:
– Early 1900s: Pastel pinks were popular in women’s clothing like dresses, hats, gloves.
– 1930s-1950s: Deeper pinks and fuchsia shades were favored in elegant styles.
– 1970s: Hot pink became a trendy bold fashion color.
– 1980s: Softer ballet pinks were common for dresses and blouses.
– 2000s: Pink made a comeback in everything from jackets to heels.
– 2010s: Millennial pink, a muted pale tone, became popular in mainstream fashion.
In modern times, pink remains a staple color for feminine clothing and accessories. Pastel pink especially signals feminine sweetness in outfits. Vibrant hot pink makes edgy style statements. Pink clothing conveys different vibes across age groups and cultures but is consistently linked with female expression.
Pink in Popular Culture
Pink has made many cultural appearances in recent decades:
– Pretty in Pink: The iconic 1980s film had main character Andie wearing a pink prom dress, cementing pink as a feminine statement color.
– Pink pop stars: Pop singers like Pink have sported edgy pink hair and outfits, merging pink’s innocence with rebelliousness.
– #PinkItForward: The breast cancer awareness campaign united people in wearing pink to support fighting the disease.
– Baking shows: Many dessert competitions feature pink confections, from cakes to macarons, since pink is appealing in sweets.
– K-pop: Korean pop groups like Blackpink and Pink Fantasy feature pink colors to convey playfulness and glamour.
So whether it represents femininity, fun, glamor, or hope, the color pink continues to have a noticeable presence across modern pop culture.
Conclusion
The color pink encompasses a wide range of wavelengths in the visible light spectrum, primarily mixing red and violet. Softer pinks tend towards the red end of the spectrum, while bolder pinks contain more violet wavelengths. When processed by our eyes and brains, these particular wavelengths and frequencies give pink its distinctive hue.
Beyond the physics of pink light, cultural associations have given pink meaning related to femininity, playfulness, and romance. Regardless of its cultural connotations, pink remains a beautiful color that fills our world with visual vibrancy and energy. The nuances of its special light remind us of the excitement and emotion that color adds to life.