Color Contrast

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Do you have a hard time matching paint swatches with your furniture? When you consider human perception, color is context dependent. In this Exploratorium produced activity, you will see how you perception of color changes depending on the color's background.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 4 - adult
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Scissors
  • Construction or origami paper in yellow, purple, green, blue (two shades), and orange (two shades); select pieces of paper that are the same size
  • Glue
  • Paint-sample cards (from paint or hardware stores) that show gradations of one color

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • The Brain and Nervous System
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Vision
      • Perception
  • Physical Sciences
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Light and Optics
    • Light and Optics
      • Sunlight and Color

Other

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Access Rights:

  • Free access

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