Light & Mirrors: What's Reflected & Absorbed?

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SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies the properties of light absorption and reflection, specifically focusing on mirrors. A mirror ideally reflects all wavelengths of light equally, while black objects absorb all light and white objects reflect none. The concept of grey is introduced as a surface that reflects or absorbs all colors equally. Additionally, the discussion touches on the definition of color in relation to temperature, noting that the sun is classified as a black body, with its color determined solely by its temperature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light wavelengths and their properties
  • Basic knowledge of color theory
  • Familiarity with the concept of black body radiation
  • Awareness of temperature's effect on light emission
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of black body radiation and its implications in physics
  • Explore the differences between reflective and absorptive surfaces in optics
  • Study the relationship between temperature and color in stars
  • Investigate the properties of grey surfaces in light reflection and absorption
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the science of light and color theory.

Stratosphere
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I know that black things absorb all light and white things don't absorb any but what does a mirror absorb or reflect? It reflects all types of light.
 
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A surface that reflects or absorbs all colors equally is called grey. Black and white are just the different ends of grey.
A mirror (ideally) reflects all wavelengths equally.

There is a similair definition of color - that a black object emits light only depending on it's temperature, the color of the object doesn't matter. Slightly confusingly the sun is a black body - it's color is only due to the temperature - all the different colored stars in the sky are simply different temperatures.
 

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