Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

How do colored light filters work? Do they absorb, reflect or transmit the color of light that they are (i.e. a red filter tranmits red light?)? Also, can Saran wrap be used as a filter?

Hi Cookja1,

Colored filters work by transmitting the wavelengths of the light you can see and reflecting other wavelengths. For example, a red filter transmits only red light.

Here is a website that shows you how colored filters work:

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java ... index.html

You should also know that different colors correspond to different wavelengths of light. Here is a website that shows the wavelengths of visible colors:

http://skyserver.sdss.org/dr2/en/proj/a ... whatis.asp


And, to answer your question, yes, you can use colored saran wrap to transmit the wavelength of light you want to experiment with. For example, red saran wrap will transmit red wavelengths.

Now, what is your experiment? Do you need any suggestions on experimental design?

Donna Hardy

Thanks for the input...We are good on the design. Thanks.