Light reflecting material problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of light reflection and absorption in materials. It is established that if a material reflects all visible light, it appears white, while a material that absorbs all visible light appears black. The perception of color is directly linked to the frequencies of light that reach the observer's eyes, confirming that no light results in the perception of blackness. This understanding clarifies common misconceptions about color perception in relation to light interaction with materials.

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  • Basic understanding of light properties and color perception
  • Familiarity with the concepts of reflection and absorption in physics
  • Knowledge of how human vision perceives color
  • Understanding of visible light spectrum and its frequencies
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  • Research the physics of light reflection and absorption in different materials
  • Explore the visible light spectrum and its impact on color perception
  • Study the human eye's response to different wavelengths of light
  • Investigate the principles of color theory in relation to light and materials
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of light and color perception.

rad0786
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I had no idea where to post this - but i thouht the physics people might know this.

Question; Say you have a material - any matrial. If light Visible (white light) hits the material, and the matrial reflects all the light, will the matrial be BLACK?

What if the matrial absorbs all the light? will the matrial then be WHITE?

Or do i have this backwards

can somebody help me please
 
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Well think about it.

If light hits the material, and the material absorbs all of it then nothing is reflected.

If nothing is reflected, is there anything for you to see?

I guess it comes down to the fact that if no light hits your eye, you see black. If light hits your eye, you percieve a color based on the frequency (although I'm not sure if eyes respond to frequency or wavelength) of the light.
 
Last edited:
I see, that makes a bit more sense.
Thank you dav2008, I appreciate that.
 

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