SNC 2P
Date:
Name:
Why do objects appear to be certain colours?
Answer:
An object’s colour is determined by the colours that it
absorbs, transmits, and reflects.
Opaque Objects:
 Some wavelengths (colours) are absorbed by the object
 Some wavelengths (colours) reflect off the object and travel to our eyes
 The colour that we see when looking at the object is determined by
the light waves that reflect off the object and travel to our eyes
 e.g.
When white light hits an apple,
six colours are absorbed, but
the red light is reflected.
Therefore, the apple appears
to be red.
Transparent or Translucent Objects:
 Some wavelengths (colours) are absorbed by the object
 Some wavelengths (colours) reflect off the object and travel to our eyes
 Some wavelengths (colours) are transmitted through the object so they
can be seen on the other side
 The colour that we see when looking at the object is determined by
the light waves that are transmitted and reflected by the object
 e.g.
When white light hits a sheet of
blue cellophane, six colours
are absorbed, while blue light
is both reflected and
transmitted. Therefore, the
cellophane appears blue.
SNC 2P
Date:
Name:
Why do objects appear to be certain colours?
Answer:
An object’s colour is determined by the colours that it
_____________________, ______________________, or ________________________.
Opaque Objects:
 Some wavelengths (colours) are _______________________ by the object
 Some wavelengths (colours) ________________________ off the object and travel to our eyes
 The colour that we see when looking at the object is determined by
__________________________________________________________________________________________
 e.g.
When white light hits an apple,
_____ colours are absorbed, but
the red light is ___________________.
Therefore, the apple appears
to be ________________.
Transparent or Translucent Objects:
 Some wavelengths (colours) are _______________________ by the object
 Some wavelengths (colours) _______________________ off the object and travel to our eyes
 Some wavelengths (colours) are ____________________________ through the object so they
can be seen on the other side
 The colour that we see when looking at the object is determined by
__________________________________________________________________________________________
 e.g.
When white light hits a sheet of
blue cellophane, ________ colours
are absorbed, while blue light
is both ________________________ and
________________________. Therefore, the
cellophane appears __________________.