The American flag flies on a black flagpole. Light from the sun hits the flag and the flagpole. How is it that you can see the blue, red, and white colors of the flag and the black of the flagpole?
The colors of the American flag and the black flagpole are visible because of the way light interacts with different surfaces. The flag is made of fabric that reflects and absorbs light differently, which allows us to see its distinct colors. The red and white stripes and blue field of stars are designed to be easily visible, even in different lighting conditions.
Similarly, the black color of the flagpole also reflects and absorbs light in a way that makes it distinguishable from the background. While black objects may appear to absorb all light and therefore be invisible, they actually reflect a small amount of light that allows us to see their true color.
In this case, the sunlight hitting both the flag and the flagpole creates a contrast that allows us to see the different colors and textures of each object. The angle of the sunlight and the way it bounces off the surfaces helps to highlight the colors and details of the flag and flagpole, making them visible to the observer.