Which of the following best describes the colors present in white light as observed in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum?

• A. Green and yellow only
• B. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet
• C. Only red and blue
• D. Black and white

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that white light is composed of multiple colors combined together, which can be separated by a prism or diffraction to show the visible spectrum.
2. Recall that the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum includes all the colors that the human eye can see, typically described as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
3. Recognize that the colors green and yellow alone do not represent the full range of colors in white light, nor do only red and blue, or black and white, which are not colors in the visible spectrum but rather absence or combination of colors.
4. Identify that the best description of the colors present in white light is the full sequence: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
5. Conclude that white light contains all these colors combined, which is why it appears white to our eyes before dispersion.