A luminous object is one that...

A luminous object is one that...

• A. Absorbs all incoming light.
• B. Gives off light.
• C. Reflects light but does not emit.
• D. Blocks light.

Answer: (B)

Being luminous means the object produces light on its own. A luminous object acts as a light source, sending out light energy that you can see. That’s why the best choice is the one that says it gives off light. The other ideas describe things that don’t generate light but either absorb it, reflect light from another source, or block light, so they aren’t luminous. For example, a light bulb or the sun emits light; a chalkboard in daylight is illuminated by sunlight and reflects that light but doesn’t emit it; a very dark surface that absorbs light doesn’t glow on its own.

Being luminous means the object produces light on its own. A luminous object acts as a light source, sending out light energy that you can see. That’s why the best choice is the one that says it gives off light. The other ideas describe things that don’t generate light but either absorb it, reflect light from another source, or block light, so they aren’t luminous. For example, a light bulb or the sun emits light; a chalkboard in daylight is illuminated by sunlight and reflects that light but doesn’t emit it; a very dark surface that absorbs light doesn’t glow on its own.