When we see an object in our world, we see shape, texture, and color. When we see a tree, for example, we recognize that it is a tree because of its shape, its color and the distinctive texture of the bark. The characteristics we see of any object in our world are in part a result of how the surface of the object reflects light.When light strikes the surface of an object, some of the light is reflected out and away from the object. Reflection means that the waves “bend back” or bounce off the object. Our eyes see this reflected light. For example, we know that the moon does not have light of its own but is illuminated by the light of the sun. Light from the sun reflects off of the moon, and bounces back to our eyes.
The same thing is true for almost everything that we see. The colors, shades and texture qualities of objects that we see are merely the light that is reflected off of these objects.
