Final answer:
The process of eyes adjusting to darkness, known as dark adaptation, generally takes about 15 minutes after being exposed to bright light. This allows one to see more clearly in low-light conditions, though color vision remains limited due to the cones' dependency on light.
Step-by-step explanation:
It typically takes about 15 minutes for your eyes to fully adapt to darkness after being exposed to bright light. This process is known as "dark adaptation." When entering a dimly lit environment like a movie theater, initially, you can hardly see anything. Over time, your pupils dilate to let in more light, allowing you to see more clearly in the dark. This is similar to the experiment of going from a brightly lit area to a dark room and observing how long it takes for you to start seeing shapes and distinguishing objects. The enhancement in night vision is attributed to the increased sensitivity of rods in the eye, which are responsible for vision in low-light conditions. Additionally, it's important to understand that the eyes do not adapt to seeing color in darkness, as color vision is primarily mediated by cone cells, which function mainly under well-lit conditions.