Chapter 28, Problem 44A

The only light to reach very far beneath the surface of the ocean is greenish blue. Objects at these depths either reflect greenish blue or reflect no color at all. If a ship that is painted red, green, and white sinks to the bottom of the ocean, how will these colors appear?

To determine

The color of the ship appeared when it sinks to the bottom of the ocean which is painted red, green, and white.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction: 

The substance that absorbs light in the ocean is known as chlorophyll. The chlorophyll produces carbon by the process of photosynthesis. 

Explanation: 

The chlorophyll is green in color which absorbs red and blue colors. The primary colors are red, blue, and green so, the chlorophyll as the capability to absorb the red and blue lights.  The red and green colors appear as black because the chlorophyll (green color) in water absorbs them. But the green painted object reflects the green light. Therefore, the green color of the ship is reflected by the water and it appears as green. 

Conclusion: 

The red and blue colors appear as the black and green color appears as green due to the substance chlorophyll in the ocean.