Final answer:
The correct answer is option A, where yellow light shining on a black paper would not make the paper appear yellow. Black objects absorb all colors, meaning they do not reflect light and thus cannot appear as any color to an observer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which scenario would NOT make a piece of paper appear yellow to an observer. To understand this, we need to consider how colors are perceived. We see colors based on the light that is reflected off objects and into our eyes. In most cases, an object appears to be the color of the light it reflects. For instance, a yellow paper reflects yellow light; if white light (which contains all colors) shines on it, it will still appear yellow because it absorbs all other colors except for yellow. Color perception is key in this scenario.
If yellow light shines on a white paper, the paper would reflect primarily yellow light to the viewer, therefore appearing yellow. However, the scenario where yellow light shines on a black paper would not result in the paper appearing yellow. Black objects absorb all colors of light, so a black paper would not reflect yellow light or any light at all, and thus, it would not appear yellow.
The option d. Red and green lights shine on a white paper might be confusing, as this combination of light actually results in the color yellow when mixed together. So even if the paper itself is not yellow, it would appear yellow under red and green light due to the way our eyes perceceive these color mixtures. Hence, option A, which proposes shining yellow light on a black paper, is the correct answer to the question as it will not make the paper appear yellow.