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MIXORA CONCEPT

Spectral reflectance

The fraction of incoming light a surface returns at each wavelength.

colorbridgeStrong evidence
IN PLAIN LANGUAGE

A reflectance curve describes material color more directly than one RGB triplet. Two different curves can produce a similar display color under one light yet behave differently when mixed or illuminated differently.

What “Strong evidence” means

The core definition or effect is well established across authoritative standards, foundational research or a broad research literature. The label does not make every practical prediction certain.

Marker-board illustration created specifically to explain Spectral reflectance: The fraction of incoming light a surface returns at each wavelength.VISUAL EXPLANATION · MARKER BOARD
The fraction of incoming light a surface returns at each wavelength.
EXAMPLE

A sample may reflect little blue light, moderate green and much more red, producing an orange appearance under daylight.

COMMON CONFUSION

Reflectance is a surface property measured across wavelengths; HEX is a display encoding.

ASK YOURSELF

Do we have a measured spectrum, or only a reconstructed estimate from a screen color?

RELATED CONCEPTS
colorPigment

A material that changes reflected or transmitted light through selective absorption and scattering.

color × thought × bridgeMetamerism

Different spectral stimuli producing the same or very similar perceived color under a particular viewing condition.

color × bridgeKubelka–Munk model

A model relating absorption, scattering and reflectance in diffusely scattering layers such as many paints.

References

Last reviewed

  1. 01
    Colorimetry, 4th Edition

    CIE · 2018 · International Commission on Illumination

    Definitions and standard colorimetric practice.
    Reference source
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Scholarly research or review published for an academic audience.
Reference source
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General reference
A practical specialist resource useful for application, but not treated as decisive research by itself.