Question 1

What is color?

Accepted Answer

Color is what we see when light reflects off objects. Different colors happen because objects absorb some light colors and bounce others back to our eyes.

Question 2

Why does the sky look blue?

Accepted Answer

The sky looks blue because sunlight hits air and scatters blue light all over. Our eyes see this blue light everywhere, making the sky look blue.

Question 3

What makes a rainbow?

Accepted Answer

A rainbow forms when sunlight passes through raindrops, splitting it into different colors. These colors spread out and form an arc in the sky.

Question 4

Why are leaves green?

Accepted Answer

Leaves are green because they have something called chlorophyll that absorbs other colors of light but reflects green light. This is why leaves look green to us.

Question 5

How do our eyes see color?

Accepted Answer

Our eyes have special cells that respond to different colors of light. These cells send messages to our brain, and the brain helps us see the colors.

Question 6

Why does a red apple look red?

Accepted Answer

A red apple looks red because it reflects red light and absorbs other colors. The red light is what reaches our eyes.

Question 7

Can we see all colors of light?

Accepted Answer

No, we can't see all colors of light. Some colors, like ultraviolet and infrared, are invisible to our eyes but some animals can see them.

Question 8

What is white light?

Accepted Answer

White light is a mix of all the colors of the rainbow. When all these colors combine, they make the light look white to us.

Question 9

What happens when colors mix?

Accepted Answer

When colors mix, they can make new colors. For example, mixing red and blue makes purple, and mixing red and yellow makes orange.

Question 10

Why does black look different from other colors?

Accepted Answer

Black looks different because it absorbs all colors of light and reflects none. Without reflected light, we see black as the absence of color.

Question 11

How do shadows form?

Accepted Answer

Shadows form when an object blocks light from reaching a surface. The light can't go through the object, so it creates a dark area on the other side.

Question 12

Why do some animals see different colors?

Accepted Answer

Some animals see different colors because their eyes are made differently. They have special cells that can detect colors that we can't see.

Question 13

Why do some objects look shiny?

Accepted Answer

Objects look shiny when they have smooth surfaces that reflect light directly back to our eyes. This makes them look bright and sparkly.

Question 14

Why do things look different in the dark?

Accepted Answer

In the dark, there's not much light bouncing off objects, so our eyes can't see colors well. Things can look gray or black because there's not enough light to show their true colors.

Question 15

How do glasses help us see better?

Accepted Answer

Glasses help us see better by bending light in a way that fixes how it hits our eyes. This helps focus images correctly so we can see clearly.

Question 16

Why do stars twinkle at night?

Accepted Answer

Stars twinkle because their light travels through the moving air in our atmosphere. This movement causes the light to bend, making the stars appear to flicker.

Question 17

Why do we wear sunglasses?

Accepted Answer

We wear sunglasses to protect our eyes from bright sunlight. Sunglasses block some of the sunlight so it doesn't hurt our eyes.

Question 18

What makes neon signs glow?

Accepted Answer

Neon signs glow because they have gases inside that light up when electricity passes through them. This makes bright, colorful lights.

Question 19

Why do things look different under water?

Accepted Answer

Things look different under water because water bends light in a special way. This bending can make objects appear larger or in a different position than they actually are.

Question 20

Why can't we see in complete darkness?

Accepted Answer

We can't see in complete darkness because there's no light for our eyes to detect. Without light, our eyes can't send messages to our brain about what we're seeing.

The Physics of Color: Understanding Light and Visual Perception - 20 FAQs Explained Simply