Quotation from: General Science

Written by: Bertha M. Clark


We can show that when light passes through a prism and is refracted,
forming a spectrum, as in Section 127, it is accompanied by heat. If
we hold a sensitive thermometer in the violet end of the spectrum so
that the violet rays fall upon the bulb, the reading of the mercury
will be practically the same as when the thermometer is held in any
dark part of the room; if, however, the thermometer is slowly moved
toward the red end of the spectrum, a change occurs and the mercury
rises slowly but steadily, showing that heat rays are present at the
red end of the spectrum. This agrees with the popular notion, formed
independently of science, which calls the reds the warm colors. Every
one of us associates red with warmth; in the summer red is rarely
worn, it looks hot; but in winter red is one of the most pleasing
colors because of the sense of warmth and cheer it brings.

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