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Physics · Glossary

What is Additive synthesis?

Also known as: primary colors

Definition 11.4 High School Physics · Chapter 11 — Color and Light Sources

Superposing light beams on a white screen adds their spectra: this is additive synthesis. Three well-chosen lights, red, green and blue — the additive primaries — mix into almost every perceivable color: R ++ G == yellow, R ++ B == magenta, G ++ B == cyan, and R ++ G ++ B == white.

Additive synthesis of overlapping light beams (left) and subtractive synthesis of stacked filters in white light (right). Additive synthesis of overlapping light beams (left) and subtractive synthesis of stacked filters in white light (right).
Additive synthesis of overlapping light beams (left) and subtractive synthesis of stacked filters in white light (right).
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