How is color perceived in terms of waves?

Color perception is fundamentally linked to the wavelength of light waves. The visible spectrum, which ranges from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers, corresponds to various colors that the human eye is capable of detecting. Each color corresponds to a specific range of wavelengths: for example, violet light has shorter wavelengths, while red light has longer wavelengths.

When light waves hit the photoreceptors in our eyes, the different wavelengths stimulate the cone cells in various ways, allowing us to perceive distinct colors. This process is a significant aspect of how our visual system interprets the world around us.

In this context, discussing the magnitude of the wave does not relate to color perception, as it pertains more to amplitude effects like brightness rather than hue. Similarly, frequency of sound waves is irrelevant since sound and light are based on different types of waves and sensory systems. Speed of electromagnetic waves, while important, does not dictate color either because it is the wavelength that determines which color we perceive. Thus, focusing on the wavelength of light waves provides the clearest understanding of how we experience color.