10.8.1.1 Dielectrics

These are the most common category. These are non-conductive materials, such as plastic or wood, which don't have free electrons. The result is that dielectrics have relatively low reflectivity, and have a reflectivity that is independent of light color. Because they don't interact with the light much, many dielectrics are transparent. The ambient, diffuse and specular colors tend to be the same.

Powdered dielectrics tend to look white because of the high surface area between the dielectric and the surrounding air. Because of this high surface area, they also tend to reflect diffusely.