As a color science expert with a deep understanding of the interaction between light and pigments, I can provide an insightful explanation about which colors reflect light and the underlying principles.

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that travels in waves. When light encounters a surface, several things can happen: it can be absorbed, reflected, or transmitted. The color we perceive of an object is determined by the wavelengths of light that are reflected off that object and reach our eyes.

White surfaces are unique in that they reflect all visible wavelengths of light, which is why we perceive them as white. They do not absorb any particular wavelengths, hence no color is missing from the light that is reflected back to our eyes.

On the other hand, colored surfaces appear as such because they selectively absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. The absorbed wavelengths are those that are not seen by the observer, and the reflected wavelengths determine the color that we perceive. For instance:

- A red object absorbs all wavelengths except for red. It reflects the red wavelengths, which is why we see the object as red.
- A green object absorbs all wavelengths except for green, reflecting only the green light and appearing green to our eyes.
- Similarly, a blue object absorbs all other wavelengths and reflects only blue light, which is what we perceive.

The color absorption and reflection properties are due to the molecular structure of the pigments or dyes used in the colored surfaces. These molecules have specific configurations that allow them to absorb certain wavelengths of light while reflecting others.

It's also important to note that the perception of color is not solely a property of the object but also involves the observer's visual system. The human eye contains specialized cells called cones that are sensitive to different parts of the visible spectrum, allowing us to distinguish between various colors.

Moreover, the environment plays a role in how color is perceived. The surrounding light and the colors of nearby objects can affect how we perceive a particular color due to a phenomenon known as color constancy, where our brain adjusts the perceived color based on the context.

In summary, the colors that reflect light are those that are not absorbed by the object's surface. Each color has a unique way of interacting with light, which is fundamental to the science of color and the way we experience the world around us.

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If the color of a surface is anything other than white, it means that it absorbs light of some wavelengths. For example, a surface that appears red absorbs yellow, green, blue and violet light, while reflecting red light. A surface that appears green absorbs all colors except green.Feb 1, 2018read more >>