Computer and cell phone displays, TV sets, and other imaging devices use RGB technology (red, green, and blue dots) to simulate colours and make an image.

SCI 2.9, PHYS 3.3

The video can be used as an introduction or when strong magnifying glasses and/or diffraction gratings are not available. The software can be downloaded for free and installed on as many computers as you like!

Viewing the computer screen works best with a loop magnifier with about 10X magnification. A standard 2X or 4X will not work. Many magnifying glasses have a second, smaller lens with a stronger magnification, such as the ones we seen in the video.

Click for Additional discussion of the diffraction grating glasses

The red and green LEDs show up from a distance of a few metres as red, yellow, and green with the yellow in the middle. This is quite similar to what students see using a strong magnifying glass. As the magnification is increased, the yellow disappears and one sees only red and green as in the photo above.

Is it Really Yellow? | Seeing Colours | Eye Resolution

Download ComputerColours for PC (right click and "save as"). A Mac version is available as a beta. Contact us for details. Some school internet security software may not let you download this software. If you have trouble contact us for help.