# A artist paints a picture using yellow paint and blue paint mixed together. Explain, in terms of colour absorption and reflection, why the mixed paint appears green when viewed in white light.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 6.4 Colour and frequency · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. White light contains all colours of the visible spectrum (or contains red, green and blue light)
2. Yellow paint absorbs blue light and reflects red and green light
3. Blue paint absorbs red light and reflects blue and green light
4. Only green light is reflected by both paints, so green is the only colour reflected by the mixture

## Key terms

- [absorption](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/absorption)
- [reflection](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/reflection)
- [white light](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/white-light)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-artist-paints-a-picture-using-983feb57) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.