Final answer:
The Ponzo illusion is created by illuminating a surface with light, utilizing shadows to trick the brain into perceiving different sizes based on background depth. It demonstrates how light and shadow affect our perception of size and depth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The illusion that can be created by illuminating a light-colored surface with a desk lamp and casting a shadow with a piece of paper is the Ponzo illusion. In this visual perception phenomenon, the human brain interprets the size of an object based on its perceived background depth. By manipulating light and shadows, we can change our perception of the dimensions and depth of objects, creating an illusion where two lines of identical length appear to be different sizes due to the context provided by surrounding lines or shapes. This principle is similar to the way we can make a paper appear yellow by shining different types of light on it or understand the law of reflection when light is shone on various surfaces.