Light can be reflected or absorbed

The light that comes from the sun is called white light. Some of our light bulbs give us white light as well. White light is made up of all the colours that we can see.

^{The sun gives us white light.}

When light hits an object, it can bounce off the object. When light is bounced off an object, we say that it is reflected. White objects reflect all the colours of white light that hits them. That is why they look white to us. In the picture below, the kitten looks white because its fur reflects all of the white light that hits it.

When light hits an object, it can be taken in by the object. When light is taken in by an object we say that it is absorbed. Black objects absorb all of the white light that hits them. That is why they look black to us. The bird in the photo below looks black because its feathers absorb all the white light that hits them.

We must remember that when light hits an object, it can be reflected or absorbed. White objects reflect all the white light that hits them, but black objects absorb all the white light that hits them.