eli5: How exactly does colour absorb light and heat?

Question

We’re always told that darker stuff absorbs more light and heat and shinny stuff reflect it. How exactly though?

In: 0

Answer 1

Question is wrong. Color is a manifestation of light, not something that reacts with light.

Each atom has some default energy state.
Light is a source of energy consisting of photons.
When light hits atom, atom can take some amount of energy with specific characteristics from light. If it takes more energy, the weaker light becomes, and when atom cannot take more energy at this given time, you are getting what is left from this light which means some color.
And more energized atom means higher temperature which means more heat streaming from it.