Why objects possess color: the physics of light interaction

Science · Published 28 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Understanding how light behaves when it hits a surface is fundamental to how we perceive the world. This video explains the three primary ways light interacts with matter: absorption, reflection, and transmission.

When light moves from one medium to another, it undergoes specific physical changes. Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface; the specific wavelengths that are reflected determine the color we perceive. Conversely, light that is absorbed by a material is converted into energy.

Transmission happens when light passes through a material rather than bouncing off or being taken in. By studying these three mechanisms, we can understand the properties of different substances and the physics of vision.

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