Question

A red ball reflects which of the following colors of light?

A)
red

B)
all colors but red

C)
green

D)
white

Answer 1

A red ball reflects red light because objects appear in the color of light they reflect. Different scenarios on the subtractive color wheel lead to reflecting different colors based on the light shone and the wheel's properties. White light on yellow paper results in a yellow appearance due to the reflection of red and green light.

Step-by-step explanation:

A red ball reflects red light. Objects appear to us in the color of the light they reflect. In this case, since the ball is red, it is reflecting red light and absorbing other colors. If white light (which contains all colors) shines on the red ball, the ball reflects the red component of that light while absorbing the other colors.

When it comes to the subtractive color wheel and what colors are reflected when different lights are shone on it, it's important to remember that:

Magenta reflects red and blue light - so under red and green light, it will reflect the red light.

Yellow reflects red and green light - so under red and green light, it would reflect both and appear yellow.

Cyan reflects blue and green light - under red and green light it will reflect green.

If white light shines on a yellow paper, the paper will reflect red and green light and appear yellow. This is because yellow pigment absorbs blue light and reflects red and green. If yellow light shines on a white paper, the paper will appear yellow since it's only refracting the yellow light.

Answer 2

If white light shines on a red ball, the ball reflects back mostly red light, and so we see red. Most of the greens and blues that are part of white light are absorbed by the ball so we cannot see them. Likewise, a blue book is reflecting the blue part of the white light spectrum.