ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Blue pigments

Do you know what colors are, sweetie? Colors are the different shades that we see all around us. And one of those colors is blue! But have you ever wondered how things get to be blue? That's where blue pigments come in!

A pigment is a tiny little thing that gives things their color. For example, the pigment that makes leaves green is called chlorophyll. And the pigment that makes things red is called anthocyanin. And just like that, there is a little tiny thing that makes things blue too! That is the blue pigment.

Now let's talk about where this blue pigment comes from. In nature, blue pigments can be found in things like blueberries, butterfly wings, and even some flowers! But sometimes, people want to use blue pigment in their art or in their clothes or even in their favorite toys. So, scientists have learned how to create blue pigment too!

The most common way to create blue pigment is by using a little thing called ultramarine. Ultramarine is made from a type of rock called lapis lazuli, and it has been used to create blue pigment for centuries. But, scientists have also found other ways to create blue pigment, like using a chemical called phthalocyanine.

So, in summary, blue pigments are little things that make things look blue. They can be found in nature or created in a lab. And they are used in all sorts of things, from art to clothes to toys!