In short, luminance refers to the amount of light emitted by a surface or object and is often used interchangeably with the term brightness. Brightness and luminance are not the same, however, as brightness is the visual sensation by which we perceive differences in luminance. Luminance is a quantifiable and measurable characteristic that can …

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Pottery and porcelain are the most well known applications of ceramics, but they are not the only ones. From pottery and porcelain to electronic components and construction materials, color control is critical for the various applications of ceramics.

In short, ceramics are hard, heat-resistant materials that can be used both indoors and outdoors…

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The Rainbow

Have you ever wondered how this gorgeous phenomenon works? When white light passes through a prism, that prism will separate it into a display of all the rainbow colors. These colors are often remembered using the acronym ROYGBIV, which stands for Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Each color in the rainbow has its own uniq…

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Iridescence is a phenomenon in which certain surfaces will appear to gradually change color as the angle of view or illumination shifts. The word “iridescence” is derived from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris, and refers to the vibrant optical effect of multi-dimensional hues that change in the light. It is also sometimes refer…

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Living organisms that have the ability to emit light or glow are both beautiful and captivating. This phenomenon behind it can either be biofluorescence or bioluminescence – two processes that seem similar, but have distinct characteristics that set them apart.

Bioflourescence

Biofluorescence is not a chemical reaction. …

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Coffee Beans

Roasting coffee beans is the process of transforming green coffee beans into brown coffee beans. The reason that they are initially green is due to the fact that they are still raw, and have not been processed or roasted yet. Once the roasting process begins, bean color can be used as an indicator of the coffee’s aroma.

The Roasting Process

Du…

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Though two same-colored objects may appear to be the same color under artificial or professional lighting, those same objects may appear to be different colors under daylight. This phenomenon is known as metamerism, and it is also why caution with lighting is advised when it comes to assessing color accuracy.

When a light source is p…

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Though many know of the word “agnostic” as pertaining to religion, today we will discuss it in relation to color. Color agnosia, a considerably rare condition, actually offers us some insights into how humans perceive color.

People with Color agnosia can see color perfectly fine and easily pass any color blindness tests. There is no…

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Have you ever wondered why cheese is yellow or whether its color occurs naturally? The natural color of cheese actually varies from pure white to medium yellow, depending on the amount of beta-carotene in the milk. This beta-carotene, in turn, depends on whether the cow was fed fresh grass or hay.

Fun fact: Goat milk contains no beta-car…

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Google defines the color as a sandy, yellow-brown.

“Officially, it’s a cream hue with a warm yellow tint.” - Color Psychology

From a psychological standpoint, beige is known to invoke feelings of serenity, comfort, sophistication and reliability. Although some may consider the color “bland” or “uninteresting”, it carries an undeniable versa…

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