What does the color white represent in terms of color theory?

In color theory, the color white is significant because it represents the presence of all colors of light combined. When white light passes through a prism, it refracts into a spectrum of colors, demonstrating that white is made up of a mixture of all colors in the visible spectrum. This concept is fundamental in additive color theory, where colors are created by combining light. In contrast, the other options reflect different concepts. The absence of color corresponds to black, while primary and secondary colors pertain to specific definitions of color mixing in subtractive theories, which do not encompass the full spectrum represented by white. Thus, recognizing white as the culmination of all colors rather than just a single one is crucial in understanding its role in color theory.