As a color theory expert with a keen interest in the science behind the colors we see, I'd like to delve into the fascinating subject of color mixing, particularly how certain colors combine to create white. The concept of color mixing is fundamental to various disciplines, from art and design to digital imaging and even our understanding of how the human eye perceives color.

In the realm of additive color mixing, which is the process used in electronic displays like televisions and computer monitors, the primary colors are indeed red, green, and blue. These colors are used because the human eye is most sensitive to these particular wavelengths of light. When no light is being emitted, we perceive the color as black, which is the absence of color. On the other hand, when all three primary colors are combined at full intensity, they create the perception of white light. This is because the combination of red, green, and blue light covers the entire spectrum visible to the human eye, and our brain interprets this full spectrum as white.

However, the question at hand is about creating white, and the reference provided suggests that red and green combine to make yellow. This is actually a reference to the subtractive color model, which is different from the additive model. In subtractive color mixing, which is used in pigments and inks, the primary colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow. These are the complements of red, green, and blue, respectively. When cyan, magenta, and yellow are combined, they absorb all wavelengths of light and create black. But when you mix two of these subtractive primary colors, you get the secondary colors: mixing cyan and magenta yields red, mixing magenta and yellow yields red-orange, and mixing yellow and cyan yields green. The combination of all three subtractive primary colors in equal amounts results in a brownish color, not white.

The confusion might arise from the fact that in the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which is additive, increasing the intensity of red and green light towards their maximum can indeed create a color that appears very close to white, but it's not pure white. To achieve true white in the RGB model, you need to add blue as well, at its maximum intensity, alongside red and green.

In summary, to create the perception of white, you need to combine all three primary colors of light—red, green, and blue—in an additive color model. In the subtractive color model, combining primary colors results in darker colors, not white. The reference to red and green combining to make yellow is accurate within the context of subtractive color mixing, but it does not pertain to creating white.

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If you mix red, green, and blue light, you get white light. Red, green, and blue (RGB) are referred to as the primary colors of light. Mixing the colors generates new colors, as shown on the color wheel or circle on the right. This is additive color.read more >>