Color produced by the physical structure of the material rather than chemical pigments.
Different colors bend at different angles (like a prism creating a rainbow). 3. Scattering Light is deflected in many directions by small particles. Colour and The Optical Properties of Materials:...
Materials (like LEDs or stars) create their own light. Absorption: Electrons soak up specific photon energies. Reflection: Light bounces off the surface. Transmission: Light passes through the material. 🔬 Key Optical Properties 1. Absorption and Selective Reflection This is the most common cause of color. Pigments: Absorb certain wavelengths and reflect others. Color produced by the physical structure of the
Microscopic patterns in butterfly wings or peacock feathers cancel out some colors and amplify others. 🏗️ Material Classes Material Type Typical Interaction Visual Result Metals High electron density reflects almost all light. Shiny, opaque, often "silvery." Semiconductors Absorption depends on "band gap" energy. Can be transparent (glass) or opaque (silicon). Polymers Long chains often allow light to pass through. Usually transparent or translucent unless dyed. 💡 Practical Applications Scattering Light is deflected in many directions by
Explains why the sky is blue (small molecules scatter shorter blue wavelengths).
Use total internal reflection to carry data over long distances.