If an object is perfectly and completely black, would we still see it?

Question

We see the colour black because it is all the other pigments mixed together, and small parts of those other pigments show up to our eyes. But if something was entirely black wouldn't it be like seeing a black hole, i.e not being able to see the object but rather a loss of any object in the space it takes up, or also a bending of light instead. Or would you just see it like all other 'black' objects in our world. I personally think you would see it as you would see a black hole, a lack of anything rather than seeing something. But i'm curious about what other people think and i could also be persuaded to think otherwise :). Have fun answering

Answer 1

Complete blackness is perfect darkness, the absence of light. Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and our eyes are tailored specifically to perceive that. So, no. We might notice the lack of light, but we could not actually "see" the object itself.

Answer 2

You are right. If you have a 3D object perfectly black then you would not be able to see the 3D version of the object other then the contours of the outside part of the object shaped by the background object reflection to our eyes. So basically the object would just be a cover for the backgroud. We would not be able to see the object since no light is reflected back to us.

Answer 3

An objects color is "seen" due to that objects reflection of a portion of white light. In other words, a red apple "appears" red because the surface of the apple absorbs all of the colors contained in white light, EXCEPT for the red spectrum of light, which is reflected, and is "seen", or perceived as a red object.

It logically follows then, that a black object, absorbs all of the spectrum of white light, therefore appearing as black. It is actually the absence of all color, as all the colors of the white light have been absorbed. A true and totally black object could not be "seen", but if there is any light around, the object would still be perceived by our eyes. It would appear as an ABSENCE of color, or "light reflection", in contrast to the surrounding space which would be reflecting some portion of the white light spectrum. A total and true black object, would not be seen in an environment without any light, such as in a cave, deep underground, as there would be nothing to contrast it against, due to the lack of any reflective light.

A white object is reflecting all of the spectrum colors of white light, and appears white to our eyes.

Since light is an energy form, this explains why a white surface in the sun remains cool to the touch, and a black object in the sun becomes hot. Since the "black" object is absorbing all of the light energy from the white light, it converts the light energy to heat energy, by the absorption of all of the energy. The white object reflects all of the energy of the white light, and therefore remains cool to the touch.

Therefore, we do not SEE black, as there is no light being reflected from a black object. Rather, we perceive the presence of black, (or the absence of light or color), due to its contrast with surrounding areas which reflect all, or some of the white light spectrum.

Answer 4

If there was something illuminated in the background, like the sky or a wall, you would see its silhouette, like a hole in the backdrop. If the background were also perfectly black, though, there would be no constrast and you would not see it.

Answer 5

I think it would be like looking into darkness but it feels like something is blocking your vision. Just like, say, you look at a door in your room at night and you know a light is supposed to be shining under it...but there isn't one. So it feels like something is blocking your vision. Same feeling that might occur with what you're talking about. It looks as if something is supposed to be there but it isn't.

Answer 6

Remember it is not just about color, it is the reflection of light that comes to your eye. So to not see it at all, no reflections or shadows, it would need to be made of something that doesn't reflect anything at all. Visual Stealth. Interesting.

Answer 7

You obviously would not see it, but you would see a missing space in the object behind it.

Answer 8

It makes you wonder why so many people are driving black cars, you would think they would be very hard to see at night.

Answer 9

When you put it like that there is no such thing as totally black, every color visible is made of red yellow and blue

Answer 10

You would still see it, as long as you're not in the dark.