Page 8 - My FlipBook

SEEING

AFTERIMAGES

Discover how staring

can temporarily change
the way our eyes see
color!

MATERIALS

v 3 sheets of white paper
v small, round lid
v pencil
v markers (red, green, and
blue)
v stopwatch or timer

SCienCe TAKeAwAY

We have three types of cone cells in our eyes. Each type responds to a different

color: red, green, or blue. When all cone cells are triggered at the same time, we see
the color white. Staring at one color tires out the cone cells that respond to that color.

Then, when you look at a sheet of white paper, all cone cells are triggered, but the

tired ones don’t respond. So, the two other types work together. For example, without

8 the response of the red cone cells, you see white as a blend of green and blue!