Does the color of a surface affect its temperature?

When the surface of a substance is darker, it absorbs more light. This makes the surface warmer. A black object absorbs all wavelengths of light. When the surface of a substance is lighter, it reflects more light. This makes the surface cooler. A white object reflects all wavelengths of light. Therefore, if a black object and a white object made from the same material are exposed to light, the black object will be warmer than the white object.

Comparing the absorption of light by colors other than black and white is more difficult. The absorption of heat by other colors depends on a variety of factors including: intensity of color, incident illumination, and angles of the light. 

On the other hand, we can determine the relative temperatures of shades of the same color. For example, a dark purple surface will absorb more light than a light purple surface made of the same material. Therefore, the dark purple surface would be warmer than the light purple surface.