Which one of the following statements best explains why we see the range of colors n Earth that we do, rather than seeing things as infrared light (night vision) or having -ray vision? Visible light is the shortest wavelength of all of the electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun so it is most efficiently reflected back to space. Our eyes evolved to see that reflected light.

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
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Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
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**Educational Explanation on Color Perception and Electromagnetic Spectrum**

**Question:**  
Which one of the following statements *best* explains why we see the range of colors on Earth that we do, rather than seeing things as infrared light (night vision) or having x-ray vision?

**Answer Options:**

1. **Selected Answer:**  
   Visible light is the shortest wavelength of all of the electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun so it is most efficiently reflected back to space. Our eyes evolved to see that reflected light.

2. **Option 1:**  
   The Earth emits its heat energy back to space primarily in the visible light spectrum thus we see that part of the electromagnetic spectrum best.

3. **Option 2:**  
   The Earth emits its heat energy back to space primarily in the infrared spectrum but since this electromagnetic radiation is flowing out of the atmosphere, our eyes did not evolve to detect it but rather to see the next most abundant radiation type on Earth — visible light.

4. **Option 3:**  
   Of the different wavelengths of solar radiation received by Earth, the visible light spectrum are the wavelengths that are least absorbed by greenhouse gases and thus reach the surface of the Earth where they can be absorbed or reflected to create ‘colors’ seen by the human eye.

---

**Analysis:**

The text discusses why human vision is adapted to detect visible light. Several options are provided, each offering a different explanation for why humans see the spectrum of colors that they do, instead of other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum like infrared or x-rays.

- **Selected Answer Explanation:**  
  The idea is that visible light, being a part of the electromagnetic radiation from the Sun, is efficiently reflected back to space, and our eyes have evolved to see this part of the spectrum.

- **Additional Options Examination:**  
  Other options propose that our visual range is based on the Earth's emission of heat energy, the nature of infrared radiation, and the absorption characteristics of atmospheric gases.

Each explanation highlights a different aspect of evolutionary biology and physics related to human vision and electromagnetic radiation.
Transcribed Image Text:**Educational Explanation on Color Perception and Electromagnetic Spectrum** **Question:** Which one of the following statements *best* explains why we see the range of colors on Earth that we do, rather than seeing things as infrared light (night vision) or having x-ray vision? **Answer Options:** 1. **Selected Answer:** Visible light is the shortest wavelength of all of the electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun so it is most efficiently reflected back to space. Our eyes evolved to see that reflected light. 2. **Option 1:** The Earth emits its heat energy back to space primarily in the visible light spectrum thus we see that part of the electromagnetic spectrum best. 3. **Option 2:** The Earth emits its heat energy back to space primarily in the infrared spectrum but since this electromagnetic radiation is flowing out of the atmosphere, our eyes did not evolve to detect it but rather to see the next most abundant radiation type on Earth — visible light. 4. **Option 3:** Of the different wavelengths of solar radiation received by Earth, the visible light spectrum are the wavelengths that are least absorbed by greenhouse gases and thus reach the surface of the Earth where they can be absorbed or reflected to create ‘colors’ seen by the human eye. --- **Analysis:** The text discusses why human vision is adapted to detect visible light. Several options are provided, each offering a different explanation for why humans see the spectrum of colors that they do, instead of other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum like infrared or x-rays. - **Selected Answer Explanation:** The idea is that visible light, being a part of the electromagnetic radiation from the Sun, is efficiently reflected back to space, and our eyes have evolved to see this part of the spectrum. - **Additional Options Examination:** Other options propose that our visual range is based on the Earth's emission of heat energy, the nature of infrared radiation, and the absorption characteristics of atmospheric gases. Each explanation highlights a different aspect of evolutionary biology and physics related to human vision and electromagnetic radiation.
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