Reflection Intensity: Iron vs. Hollow Black Box

[sid_galt]

If monochromatic light of the same amplitude is shown on a closed hollow black box and a closed black box filled with iron, will there be a difference in the intensity of light that is reflected back due to differences in the absorption of light in the two boxes?

 

[Gokul43201]

I'm not sure I follow. If the boxes are closed, how does light have access to what's inside ?

 

[Yapper]

I think he is asking is would the fact that there is iron in one of the boxes, versus a hollow box, affect how the box absorbs the light that is being shown on the outside. If the box is black doesn't it absorb all the light anyway?

 

[HallsofIvy]

A "perfect black", by definition would absorb all light- but, of course, there no such thing in the real world. However, reflection of light is determined by the surface properties. What is "inside" the box has nothing to do with it.