How do we see things around us? How do we see colors? Suppose you are in a room, which has four boxes - black, white, red and blue. If the room is illuminated by red light, what color will the boxes appear?
After light has been reflected off an object, such as a tree or a book, it still travels in straight lines, but in a new direction.
If the light enters our eyes, we see the object (ie our eyes can detect light). For example, if light from a light globe enters our eyes, we can see the globe.
If light from the Sun strikes an object such as a tree or a house, the light is usually reflected off that object. If light from a light globe hits an object such as a book or a clock, it is usually reflected off that object.
We can see things such as books and trees because of the light that is reflected off them. If light was not reflected off them into our eyes, we could not see them.
Newton observed that color is not inherent in objects. Rather, the surface of an object reflects some colors and absorbs all the others. We perceive only the reflected colors.
Thus, red is not "in" an apple. The surface of the apple is reflecting the wavelengths we see as red and absorbing all the rest. An object appears white when it reflects all wavelengths and black when it absorbs them all.The human eye and brain together translate light into color. Light receptors within the eye transmit messages to the brain, which produces the familiar sensations of color.
If the room is illuminated by red light,
Black box appears black, because black colour absorbs all colours
White box appears red, because it reflects all colours and it also reflects red which we see.
Red box appears red because it reflects the red light.
Blue box appears black, because it absorbs the red light and remaining there will be no light which reaches our eyes, so it appears dark
If the light enters our eyes, we see the object (ie our eyes can detect light). For example, if light from a light globe enters our eyes, we can see the globe.
If light from the Sun strikes an object such as a tree or a house, the light is usually reflected off that object. If light from a light globe hits an object such as a book or a clock, it is usually reflected off that object.
We can see things such as books and trees because of the light that is reflected off them. If light was not reflected off them into our eyes, we could not see them.
Newton observed that color is not inherent in objects. Rather, the surface of an object reflects some colors and absorbs all the others. We perceive only the reflected colors.
Thus, red is not "in" an apple. The surface of the apple is reflecting the wavelengths we see as red and absorbing all the rest. An object appears white when it reflects all wavelengths and black when it absorbs them all.The human eye and brain together translate light into color. Light receptors within the eye transmit messages to the brain, which produces the familiar sensations of color.
If the room is illuminated by red light,
Black box appears black, because black colour absorbs all colours
White box appears red, because it reflects all colours and it also reflects red which we see.
Red box appears red because it reflects the red light.
Blue box appears black, because it absorbs the red light and remaining there will be no light which reaches our eyes, so it appears dark
