Why Red Colour Used in Traffic lights

Each and every one of us are curious about the world around us and the various natural phenomenon taking place around us. This wonderful phenomenon includes the various colours of a rainbow, the red colour of the sun during sunrise and sunset and many more. Most of the phenomenons associated with light are based on the phenomenon of scattering of white light. The main phenomenon that we see at an everyday basis includes the red colour that is used in traffic lights. Now, why only red colour is used in these lights? In this article, you are going to come across the answer to this question.

Now, what is this scattering of light? When the light passes from one medium to another, the different components of the white light get scattered and awe is able to see the seven colours. The different colours of the white light are scattered depending on the wavelength of the particular colour. The red colour that is used in traffic lights has the longest wavelength and hence, is not scattered easily. Because of this, the red colour of the traffic light covers a larger distance as compared to other colours and hence, everyone is able to see this colour even in foggy situations. Now, what are the benefits of using red colour in traffic lights?

This red colour can cover larger distances and people who are far away can also see it. The second use is that it does not get scattered easily and hence, is visible to everyone even in foggy situations. This red colour is also used in the backlights of a vehicle which are switched whenever brakes are applied.

By: Harsh Yadav

School: S.D. Public School

Class: 11th