Question 1

What is light?

Accepted Answer

Light is a type of energy that helps us see things. It travels in waves and is made by things like the sun or light bulbs.

Question 2

Why is the sky blue?

Accepted Answer

The sky looks blue because sunlight hits air and tiny particles in the atmosphere and scatters in all directions. Blue light scatters more, making the sky look blue to us.

Question 3

How do we see colors?

Accepted Answer

We see colors because light hits objects and some colors bounce off. Our eyes catch these bouncing colors and send signals to our brain, which tells us what color we are looking at.

Question 4

Why do rainbows happen?

Accepted Answer

Rainbows happen when sunlight passes through raindrops. The light bends and splits into different colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

Question 5

What are the primary colors of light?

Accepted Answer

The primary colors of light are red, green, and blue. These colors mix together in different ways to make all the other colors we can see.

Question 6

Why does the sun look yellow?

Accepted Answer

The sun actually gives off white light, which is all the colors mixed together. The Earth's atmosphere scatters the blue light, making the sun usually look yellow or orange.

Question 7

What happens when you mix colors of light?

Accepted Answer

When you mix colors of light, you can make new colors! For example, mixing red and green light makes yellow.

Question 8

Why do things look different under different lights?

Accepted Answer

Different lights have different colors, which can change how things look. A red light can make colors look darker or different because it only shines red light on them.

Question 9

How do shadows form?

Accepted Answer

Shadows form when something blocks the path of light. The blocked area behind the thing gets dark because the light can't go through or around it.

Question 10

What makes things shiny?

Accepted Answer

Things are shiny when they have a smooth surface that bounces light straight back to our eyes. This makes them look bright and sparkly.

Question 11

Why do leaves look green?

Accepted Answer

Leaves look green because they reflect green light and absorb other colors. The parts inside leaves that do this are called chlorophyll.

Question 12

Why do some objects glow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Some things glow in the dark because they can take in light and then slowly let it out again. This makes them shine even when it's dark.

Question 13

What is a prism?

Accepted Answer

A prism is a special piece of glass or plastic that can split white light into a rainbow of colors. It does this by bending the light when it goes through it.

Question 14

Why can't we see in the dark?

Accepted Answer

We can't see in the dark because there is no light for our eyes to detect. We need some light, even just a little, to see anything.

Question 15

What is a reflection?

Accepted Answer

A reflection is when light bounces off a surface and comes back to us. Mirrors reflect light really well, which is why we can see ourselves in them.

Question 16

Why do stars twinkle?

Accepted Answer

Stars twinkle because their light passes through the Earth's atmosphere, which is always moving. The movement of the air makes the light wiggle, making the stars look like they are twinkling.

Question 17

What is a shadow's color?

Accepted Answer

A shadow doesn't have a color; it's just a dark area. But sometimes it might look a little bit blue or gray because of light and reflections around it.

Question 18

What does transparent mean?

Accepted Answer

Transparent means something is clear enough to let almost all the light through, like a clean window. You can see right through transparent objects.

Question 19

What does opaque mean?

Accepted Answer

Opaque means something that doesn't let any light through. You can't see through opaque things because the light is blocked completely.

Question 20

What is white light?

Accepted Answer

White light is a mix of all the colors of light. When all the colors of the rainbow mix together evenly, they make white light.

The Physics of Color and Light - 20 FAQs Explained Simply