Black (color)

Black is the darkest achromatic color, perceived when visible light reaching the eye is absent or very weak. It also describes surfaces that absorb nearly all visible wavelengths.

Visible spectrum: The range of electromagnetic wavelengths detectable by the human eye, approximately 380 to 700 nanometers. Black lies at the low-light limit of perception across this wavelength range.
Carbon black: A fine black powder of elemental carbon produced by incomplete combustion or thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons. It is a widely used pigment and reinforcing material whose darkness comes from strong light absorption.
Black clothing: Garments whose visible surfaces are predominantly black. Black clothing can signal formality, mourning, anonymity, or subcultural affiliation.
White: An achromatic color associated with high visible-light reflectance or the combined perception of many visible wavelengths. White occupies the opposite end of the achromatic lightness range.
Photoreceptor: A sensory cell that detects light and converts it into signals for the nervous system. Weak light produces little photoreceptor activity, supporting the perception of black.
Vantablack: A coating made from vertically aligned carbon nanotubes that absorbs an exceptionally high fraction of incident light. It demonstrates how engineered surfaces can approach an unusually deep black.
Mourning: The personal and social practices through which people respond to death and loss. Black clothing has served as a mourning convention in many societies, especially in Europe.
Gray: An achromatic color between black and white in perceived lightness. Gray differs from black by reflecting or emitting more visible light.
Scotopic vision: Vision mediated mainly by rod cells under low-light conditions, with little or no color discrimination. Black is often perceived in darkness, where rod-dominated vision operates.
Black level: The darkest signal or luminance a display system can produce. Display black depends on how little light the screen emits or transmits in its darkest state.

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