The colour of an object is determined by what property?

The colour of an object is determined by the light that it reflects. When light falls on an object, certain wavelengths are absorbed by the material while others are reflected. The wavelengths that are reflected determine the observed colour of the object. For instance, a ripe banana appears yellow because it reflects yellow wavelengths of light and absorbs other wavelengths. This principle is a key aspect of how our eyes perceive colour based on the interaction between light and materials.

The other options are not suitable because they focus on properties that do not align with our perception of colour. The light an object emits does not define its inherent colour; instead, the emitted light can change based on the object's temperature or energy state. Similarly, the colour of the light absorbed is not visible to us, as we see the reflected light instead. Intensity relates to how bright the light appears, not its colour. Therefore, the reflection of light is fundamental to determining the colour we perceive.