[ELI5] How can a black-colored surface be reflective/glossy?

Question

The “color” black arises because a surface absorbs most wavelengths of visible light.
So then, how are some black surfaces highly reflective and/or glossy? E.g. sunlight reflecting off of a black car

In: Physics

Answer 1

[https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lraquf/eli5_how_do_mirrors_work/](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/lraquf/eli5_how_do_mirrors_work/)

[https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/o8ytpb/eli5_why_do_mirrorsreflective_surfaces_feel/](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/o8ytpb/eli5_why_do_mirrorsreflective_surfaces_feel/)

[https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/gqkcc3/eli5_how_are_black_surfaces_able_to_be_glossy/](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/gqkcc3/eli5_how_are_black_surfaces_able_to_be_glossy/)

[https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4s1kcs/eli5_how_can_you_have_a_glossy_or_shiny_black/](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4s1kcs/eli5_how_can_you_have_a_glossy_or_shiny_black/)

[https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5lzh0u/eli5_how_can_something_be_both_black_and_glossy/](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5lzh0u/eli5_how_can_something_be_both_black_and_glossy/)

[https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/272bxs/eli5_what_is_the_physical_difference_between_a/](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/272bxs/eli5_what_is_the_physical_difference_between_a/)

[https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/egatl6/eli5_if_black_doesnt_reflect_any_light_then_why/](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/egatl6/eli5_if_black_doesnt_reflect_any_light_then_why/)