Shouldnt there be observations where we never see the color of an object because none of their electrons existed in the space where photons would hit them ? Or does this not happen because of how many photos are traveling constantly ? and if we send a photon particle by particle(not even sure if we can), will we then have 50-50 chances to see the surface give color or nah? Coming from a comp sci major who's just curious about physics.
Answer
Please see this answer of mine to a similar question, "Why do electrons absorb and re-emit photons?".
Also look at the continuous spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, of which a tiny part is the visual, colored rainbow spectrum, the table on the right.
Shouldnt there be observations where we never see the color of an object because none of their electrons existed in the space where photons would hit them ?
We do not see radiation because of the photon scattering off an electron, we see the radiation emitted by photons interacting with the surface of the object at all levels, atomic, molecular, lattice. Objects have a dense spill over electric field at the surface, and photons can always scatter from it too, the lattice level.
Or does this not happen because of how many photos are traveling constantly ? and if we send a photon particle by particle(not even sure if we can), will we then have 50-50 chances to see the surface give color or nah?
There are zillions of photons in a beam of light. In addition color perception is a complicated higher level process in the retina of the eye. (this answer of mine talks about it)
If no photons are reflected towars our eye, we will see the color "black" for the object. We may also see "black" if most of the photons are absorbed by the atoms/molecules/ at the surface of the object, and too few arrive at our retina to register a color.
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