Afterimage
Afterimage
Afterimage (pronunciation: /ˈæftərˌɪmɪdʒ/) is a non-specific term that refers to an image that continues to appear in one's vision after the exposure to the original image has ceased.
Etymology
The term "afterimage" is derived from the English words "after" and "image", indicating an image that follows or comes after another.
Definition
An afterimage is a visual illusion that occurs after looking at a strong light source or a brightly colored object and then quickly shifting our eyes to a neutral background, such as a white wall. The phenomenon is a result of the continued activation of the photoreceptor cells in the retina after the removal of a stimulus.
Types of Afterimages
There are two types of afterimages: positive and negative.
- Positive afterimages are an afterimage in the same color as the original image. They are typically brief, lasting a few seconds.
- Negative afterimages are an afterimage in complementary colors to the original image. They can last for a longer period, sometimes up to several minutes.
Causes
Afterimages are caused by the overstimulation and subsequent fatigue of the photoreceptor cells in the retina. This can occur due to prolonged exposure to a bright light or a strongly colored object.
Related Terms
- Photoreceptor cells - The cells in the retina that respond to light.
- Retina - The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye.
- Visual perception - The ability to interpret the surrounding environment by processing information contained in visible light.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Afterimage
- Wikipedia's article - Afterimage
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski