Question

Explain the appearance of the colour of an object on the basis of absorption and reflection of light.

Answer 1

1. Natural light, often referred to as white light, is actually composed of different colours.
2. Different objects absorb certain colours of light and reflect others.
3. The reflected colour decides the colour of the object.
4. Grass looks green because it absorbs all colours from white light except green.
5. It reflects back the green colour that is received by our eyes.
6. Similarly, a tomato ketchup looks red as it reflects back the red coloured light after absorbing all colours except red.
7. However, some objects absorb all the colours of light and do not reflect any light falling on it.
8. Thus, these objects appear black such as coal, blackboard and hair.
9. Also, some objects such as table salt, sugar and chalk powder appear white because they do not absorb any colour of light and reflect all the colours falling on it.
10. Thus, all these colours combine together to form white light.
11. Hence, the object appears white.