Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Newton's focus on seven hues was influenced by beliefs of which ancient group?

1. Chinese philosophers

2. Ancient Greeks

3. Egyptians

4. Indians

The correct answer is: Ancient Greeks

Newton's focus on the seven hues of the visible spectrum—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet—was significantly influenced by the beliefs of the ancient Greeks. The Greek philosophers, particularly figures like Aristotle, contributed extensively to the study of color and light, theorizing about the nature of color and its relation to the physical world. They classified colors and attempted to explain how they perceived them, often linking colors to the elements and qualities of nature. In developing his own theories, Newton was inspired by these earlier philosophical ideas while conducting his experiments with light and prisms. He later formalized the understanding of the spectrum and the concept of colors blending to form white light, reflecting the cumulative knowledge that had been built over centuries, particularly from Greek thought. This emphasis on categorizing colors into a coherent system shows the lasting impact of ancient Greek philosophies on subsequent scientific inquiry, including Newton’s work.