Is it possible for humankind to create a colour that doesn't exist throughout the natural world already?:jap:

I don't think that's physically possible. Colour is defined as an electromagnetic frequency we (the humans, whoi define words) happen to have receptors for, the so-called eyes. All frequencies within the receptors' range can be seen and have been seen.

Inventing a new colour would mean that there is a frequency which we haven't seen yet.

And yes, many colours are mixes of frequencies we receive at the same time, but again, I cannot imagine a mix that does not exist in nature.

Good question though.

I don't think that's physically possible. Colour is defined as an electromagnetic frequency we (the humans, whoi define words) happen to have receptors for, the so-called eyes. All frequencies within the receptors' range can be seen and have been seen.

Inventing a new colour would mean that there is a frequency which we haven't seen yet.

And yes, many colours are mixes of frequencies we receive at the same time, but again, I cannot imagine a mix that does not exist in nature.

Good question though.

How many colours can a computer screen show? I seem to remember a figure of 10,000. I doubt all these can be found in nature... but then how do you define a colour?

I don't think that's physically possible. Colour is defined as an electromagnetic frequency we (the humans, whoi define words) happen to have receptors for, the so-called eyes. All frequencies within the receptors' range can be seen and have been seen.

Inventing a new colour would mean that there is a frequency which we haven't seen yet.

And yes, many colours are mixes of frequencies we receive at the same time, but again, I cannot imagine a mix that does not exist in nature.

Good question though.

How many colours can a computer screen show? I seem to remember a figure of 10,000. I doubt all these can be found in nature... but then how do you define a colour?

A 24 bit LCD screen can display over 16 million colours.

Thanks, Endure... I thought I was probably wrong!

A colour that doesn't exist throughout the natural world already? "Throughout" makes it rather restrictive....."within the natural world" would be better for the spirit of the question.

If you consider the hues and shades of a forest in autumn or spring, of clouds at sunset, of birds and fish and rocks....and consider that forests and clouds and birds and fish and rocks are everywhere....and not to mention other natural colourful things.....I would guess that all visible colours have existed, and do exist, naturally.

But I don't have a link to "prove" it.

Now let's all roast some marshmallows and sing 'Kumbaya".

Now let's all roast some marshmallows and sing 'Kumbaya".

Thanks, but I'll pass.

Now let's all roast some marshmallows and sing 'Kumbaya".

Thanks, but I'll pass.

We'll start without you.