What does pale green sound like?
Which car is more likely to win the race? © Pixelio???aural:Bildende???
Why are sports cars usually red, perhaps yellow, but never pale green? Researchers at the Technical University Munich (TUM) have delved into the secrets of car psychology. That the colour red stands for vitality and singles out the hot-blooded Ferrari driver from among the mass of dark estate cars is only part of the story.
Scientists discovered that colours change our perception of noise. To test this, they played the sound of a passing train to subjects while simultaneously showing images of different coloured trains. The test subjects thought the noise was loudest when the train was red. Despite the fact that the volume remained the same throughout the experiment. So, red vehicles seem louder and thus more dynamic and sporty. The "quietest" colour in the test rankings was pale green - a shade not often used for sports cars.
Incidentally, the perceived volume is not only determined by the colour but also by the object's surroundings. For example, snowy landscapes dampen sounds, even if we only see pictures of them. Whether Kimi Räikkönen's red racer is now more likely to succeed is doubtful. After all, a motor race is not won by the loudest, but rather the first to cross the finishing line. Yet, if you want to cause a stir on the road, remember the red paint - and the right vehicle. After all, even the most shocking red won't turn a 2CV into a hot pair of wheels.
More information: www.mmk.ei.tum.de
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