STORIES OF SCIENCE AND LEARNING FROM ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
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Refraction, reflection, scattering

We see colors because light of that color enters our eyes. Things have color because they are made of material that reflects or transmits only certain colors of light. An opaque red material, for example, absorbs most light except red. Light reflects from the surface of opaque material, but refracts at the surface of transparent material. Refraction means light's direction of travel bends as it passes through the surface, depending on the material and color of the light. Blue light bends more than red.

Light of all colors is scattered by an irregular bunch of refractions and reflections. Clouds are white because they are made of jumbled tiny water droplets and dust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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