The color black [closed]








**Closed.** This question is [off-topic](/help/closed-questions). It is not currently accepting answers.
 
 






---








 This question does not appear to be about chemistry within the scope defined in the [help center](https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic).




Closed 7 years ago.








[Improve this question](/posts/43338/edit) 



If a perfectly black object were present and it had a rough texture with bumps and crinkles, would it reflect any light? And can black reflect any light?




This question contains a tautology. If we define something as "perfectly black" by definition we mean something that has an absence of color and hence can neither reflect nor emit.


On the other hand, structure on the surface of an object can have a complex effect on the resulting field. For example, much of the coloring in [morpho butterfly wings is due to interference](http://www.asknature.org/strategy/1d00d97a206855365c038d57832ebafa). Other relatively bulk effects exist that can trap light, such as [the reverse laser](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/antilaser-time-reversed/). And obviously a black hole.


 2