
Sign Color and Viewing Distance
Medium
How far away can you read a sign depending on the color of its letters? You paint words on four green signs using four text colors. Then you measure how close 20 participants need to stand before they can read them.
White and yellow letters are readable from about 45 to 51 meters away. Red letters need about 28 meters. Blue letters need the closest distance at around 13 meters. The contrast between text and background makes the biggest difference.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that participants will be able to view signboards with white or yellow text and a dark green background from a further distance, as compared to red or blue text.
Method & Materials
You will spray paint metal sheets with green paint, then use stencils to spray paint words in different colors. You will then measure how far away people can read the words.
You will need metal sheets, spray paint, stencils, cardboard, students, a ruler, a paper cutter, a football field, a measuring tape, and an assistant.
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See what’s includedResults
The results showed that the students were able to read the white and yellow-colored words from a farther distance compared to the red and blue words. This proves the hypothesis correct.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it tests how color affects how far away people can read a sign. It also shows how important it is to have signs with good color contrast in order to keep drivers safe.
Also Consider
To improve the reliability and accuracy of the results, a larger sample of colors should be used. This science fair project may also be repeated with participants of different age groups.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
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