Colour Illusions

Spinning wheels

Harry's top

When the disc spins colours appear. Different bands also appear to rotate in opposite directions. Neither of these two effects appears in a steady source of light, such as daylight. A rapidly flickering source of light, such as a fluorescent tube, is necessary to see them. The origin of the colour effects is not known for certain, but probably arises from the red, green and blue visual systems being stimulated differently, thus creating an illusion of colour. However if the spinning disc is photographed colours are also seen.


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	Colour illusions		Spinning wheels Harry's top When the disc spins colours appear. Different bands also appear to rotate in opposite directions. Neither of these two effects appears in a steady source of light, such as daylight. A rapidly flickering source of light, such as a fluorescent tube, is necessary to see them. The origin of the colour effects is not known for certain, but probably arises from the red, green and blue visual systems being stimulated differently, thus creating an illusion of colour. However if the spinning disc is photographed colours are also seen.



Also See: Investigating colour vision Prisms Colour TV
Also See: Investigating colour vision Prisms Colour TV

Colour illusions