Drawing & paintingLesson 1 of 1 in the course Colour theory in painting

Pigments: Color, Chemistry, Processing, and Applications

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Pigments give materials and organisms color. This lesson introduces what distinguishes pigments from dyes, how pigments interact with light, why lighting affects appearance, and how people have used pigments throughout history.

A pigment is a chemical compound used to give a substance or organism color, or to alter its visual appearance. Pigments are generally nearly or completely insoluble and chemically unreactive in water or another medium. By contrast, a dye is colored material that dissolves, or enters solution at some stage of use. Dyes are often organic compounds, while many traditional pigments are inorganic, although there are exceptions to both patterns.

All flashcards

How does a pigment differ from a dye?
A pigment is generally insoluble in its medium, whereas a dye dissolves or enters solution during use.
How do pigments produce perceived color?
They selectively absorb some visible wavelengths and reflect or scatter others; the light reaching the observer determines the perceived color.
What are the three dimensions of the Munsell color system?
Hue, value, and chroma.
What defines an azo pigment?
It contains at least one azo group, written –N=N–.
What are chromatophores?
Specialized cells that enable some animals to control changes in coloration.

Quiz questions

  1. What do generic identification numbers in Colour Index International primarily identify?Answer: Colorants by chemical identity rather than by brand or historic name.
  2. Which statement correctly distinguishes pigment aggregates from agglomerates?Answer: Aggregates are fused at particle surfaces; agglomerates are looser groups joined at corners or edges.
  3. What is a masterbatch used in plastics?Answer: A concentrated pigment preparation mixed into a polymer during processing.
  4. What does flop describe in the appearance of metal-effect pigments?Answer: The change in appearance as the viewing angle changes.
  5. What distinguishes phosphorescent pigments from fluorescent pigments?Answer: They continue emitting visible light after the exciting illumination is removed.

Based on the Wikipedia article Pigment, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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