Why are red, green and blue the primary light colours; but cyan, yellow and magenta are primary paint and ink colours?
Red + Green + Blue = White light. None of them = black (absence of color) With printing you are using white paper. Which means you don't need to make white.
The Short Answer
Red + Green + Blue = White light. None of them = black (absence of color) With printing you are using white paper. Which means you don't need to make white. I.E. most modern printers can't actually print white unless it is specialized to be able to do so. Cyan, yellow, magenta, and black (black is required for CYMK printing) are used to do subtractive coloring, where you subtract from the light (white) background.
Analysis
Key Concepts: White, black, light
This explanation focuses on white, black, light and spans 71 words across 6 sentences. The depth is typical for Science questions (category average: 72 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Red + Green + Blue = White light.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.
How This Compares in Science
Ranked #220 of 500 Science questions by answer depth (top 45%). This falls in the detailed tier — above average depth. The explanation goes beyond surface-level but keeps things accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why red, green and blue the primary light colours; but cyan, yellow and magenta are primary paint and ink colours?
Red + Green + Blue = White light. None of them = black (absence of color) With printing you are using white paper. Which means you don't need to make white. I.E. most modern printers can't actually print white unless it is specialized to be able to…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Science questions?
This is an above-average answer at 71 words, ranked #220 of 500 Science questions by depth. The key concepts covered are white, black, light.
What approach does this answer take to explain red, green and blue the primary light colours; but cyan, yel?
The explanation uses direct explanation across 71 words. It is categorized under Science and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.