Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: neilep on 29/05/2006 20:17:39

Title: I can see myself in a black snooker ball..why ?
Post by: neilep on 29/05/2006 20:17:39
Dearest Naked Scientist Wonderfun peeps,

I just enjoyed a game of pool with my son...which is nice !

Now, black absorbs heat and light yes ?..better than white !

So..how come I can see my reflection better in the black ball than in the white ball ?

why why why ?....I don't know...do you ?

Thanks

Neil
xxxxxx

Men are the same as women, just inside out !
Title: Re: I can see myself in a black snooker ball..why ?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 29/05/2006 20:26:58
Damnably good question, dear boy

*waits for an erudite answer*

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Title: Re: I can see myself in a black snooker ball..why ?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 29/05/2006 23:34:00
A snooker ball is polished and like a simple glass window pane reflects a proportion of the light falling upon it.  A black snooker ball absorbs light falling on it that is not reflected and so the reflected image is easily visible.  A white (or coloured) snooker ball does not absorb all of the light that is not reflected but re radiates it in a diffuse form (which does not contain the reflected image)and so the reflected image is "washed out" by the diffusely re radiated light.  This is the same effect as it is much easier to see your image reflected in a window when you are outside rather than insise a building  (assuming that it is daylight because the insides of buildings are usually darker than the outside because the window is the inly way that light can get in.

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Title: Re: I can see myself in a black snooker ball..why ?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 29/05/2006 23:42:54
He's bloody smart, that Ian!

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Title: Re: I can see myself in a black snooker ball..why ?
Post by: neilep on 30/05/2006 00:18:41
Yep, bloody smart...Thank you Ian.

Men are the same as women, just inside out !
Title: Re: I can see myself in a black snooker ball..why ?
Post by: ukmicky on 30/05/2006 01:04:20
Neil

Next time your looking at the ball close your eyes , and i bet you no longer see a reflection. try it really works.

you need to ask yourself this, does the snooker ball really reflect all the time or only when someones  looking at it.[:D]

Its Spooky man[:)][:D]
Michael