Homework Help: Physics

Posted by Corin on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 5:43pm.

I am confused as to how light would work in the following question:

Some very efficient streetlights contain sodium vapour under high pressure. They produce light that is mainly yellow with some red. Should a community having these lights buy dark blue police cars? Why or why not?

I'm guessing that the lights would make the cars look yellow???

Physics - bobpursley, Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 6:00pm
If the police cars looked yellow, that means they are reflecting yellow light. Does blue reflect blue? What happens to yellow light on a blue surface. Why is grass green?

I will be happy to critique your thinking.

As a side note, yellow green is becoming a very popular color for fire engines. This is because....
- Physics - Corin, Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 6:16pm
  So the cars will reflect blue light, but since no blue light is being emitted, they won't look blue? Since yellow light is a combination of red and green light, no blue is involved. One will not be able to see the police cars???
  
  Thank you for your help!! :)!
Physics - bobpursley, Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 6:21pm
excellent reasoning.
Physics - Corin, Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 6:38pm
Thank you for your help! :)

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