What creates shadows?

• A. When light is absorbed
• B. When an object reflects light
• C. When an object blocks the light
• D. When light is refracted

Answer: (C)

Shadows are created when an object blocks light from reaching a surface. When a light source shines on an object, the part of the surface that is directly behind the object is not illuminated, resulting in a shadow. This occurs because the object obstructs the path of the light rays.

In the case of the other options, while light absorption, reflection, and refraction are all important concepts in understanding how light interacts with different materials, they do not directly create shadows. Absorption occurs when a material takes in light rather than allowing it to pass through or reflect, which does not contribute to shadow formation. Reflection involves light bouncing off a surface, which can illuminate areas but does not block light in a way that creates a shadow. Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through different materials, which can change the appearance of objects but does not inherently block light to create a shadow.