Colors are reflected based on which wavelengths of light a material does not absorb.
The Process of Color Reflection Explained
When white light, which contains all colors of the visible spectrum, shines on an object, the object's material interacts with these wavelengths in a specific way. Instead of reflecting back all the colors, like a mirror, colored objects absorb certain wavelengths of light while reflecting others. This selective reflection of certain wavelengths is what allows us to perceive color.
Understanding Absorption and Reflection
- Absorption: Some wavelengths of light are absorbed by the object, meaning that the light's energy is converted into heat or other forms of energy within the material, and not reflected.
- Reflection: Other wavelengths of light bounce back from the object's surface and into our eyes. These are the wavelengths we perceive as color.
Examples of Color Reflection
| Object | Light Absorbed | Light Reflected | Perceived Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Ball | Mostly green and blue wavelengths | Mostly red wavelengths | Red |
| Green Leaf | Mostly red and blue wavelengths | Mostly green wavelengths | Green |
| Blue Shirt | Mostly red and green wavelengths | Mostly blue wavelengths | Blue |
Why Do We See Color?
Our eyes contain special cells called cones that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light. When light reflecting from an object enters our eyes, these cones transmit signals to our brain, which then interprets the different combinations of wavelengths as different colors.
Key Takeaways
- Colored objects absorb some wavelengths of light and reflect others.
- The wavelengths that are reflected are what we perceive as the object’s color.
- This principle applies to all colored materials, whether natural or man-made.
In short, the color we see in an object is not the color that the object is so much as the color that it isn’t— it’s the color of light that was reflected back rather than absorbed.
