Question

The American flag flies on a black flagpole. Light from the sun hits the flag and the flagpole. How is it that you can see the blue, red, and white colors of the flag and the black of the flagpole?(1 point)
Responses

Red stripes absorb red and reflect all other light, as does the blue square with blue; white stripes and stars absorb all wavelengths; and the flagpole reflects all wavelengths.
Red stripes absorb red and reflect all other light, as does the blue square with blue; white stripes and stars absorb all wavelengths; and the flagpole reflects all wavelengths.

Red stripes absorb red and reflect all other light, as does the blue square with blue; white stripes and stars reflect all wavelengths; and the flagpole absorbs all wavelengths.
Red stripes absorb red and reflect all other light, as does the blue square with blue; white stripes and stars reflect all wavelengths; and the flagpole absorbs all wavelengths.

Red stripes reflect red and absorb all other light, as does the blue square with blue; white stripes and stars absorb all wavelengths; and the flagpole reflects all wavelengths.
Red stripes reflect red and absorb all other light, as does the blue square with blue; white stripes and stars absorb all wavelengths; and the flagpole reflects all wavelengths.

Red stripes reflect red and absorb all other light, as does the blue square with blue; white stripes and stars reflect all wavelengths; and the flagpole absorbs all wavelengths.

1 answer

The correct response is:

Red stripes reflect red and absorb all other light, as does the blue square with blue; white stripes and stars reflect all wavelengths; and the flagpole absorbs all wavelengths.

This is because the colors of objects are determined by the wavelengths of light they reflect. The red stripes reflect red light and absorb other wavelengths, the blue areas reflect blue light and absorb other wavelengths, the white areas reflect all wavelengths (and thus appear white), and the black flagpole absorbs all wavelengths and does not reflect light, which is why it appears black.