# Explain why different objects appear different colours when white light shines on them, and describe what happens when white light passes through a colour filter.

> Eduqas A-Level Physics — 6.2 Particle physics and the standard model (A-Level only) · Explain · 5 marks

> White light is made up of all the colours of the visible spectrum. When white light interacts with objects and materials, the colours we see depend on how the light is absorbed or reflected.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The colour of an object is determined by the frequency of light reflected from it
2. A coloured object reflects its own colour and absorbs all other colours
3. A white object reflects all colours / frequencies of light
4. A colour filter only allows light of a single colour (single frequency) to pass through
5. The filter absorbs all other colours / frequencies of light

## Key terms

- [colour](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/colour)
- [colour filter](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/colour-filter)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-different-objects-appear-different-2c4feef9) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.