Properties of Materials – Transparency

#ngscience #transparency #matter
The objects around us are made of different materials. Common materials include metal, wood, glass, plastic, fabric and rubber. Different materials have different properties. When we make objects, we need to understand the properties of the materials used to make them to ensure the object is useful and safe.

Materials can be different in their transparency. Transparency is the property of allowing light to pass through.

Look at the objects below. The glass bowl is transparent. Transparent materials allow almost all light to pass through. That is why you can clearly see the salad in the bowl.

You can see that there are apples in the plastic bags, but you cannot see them clearly. The plastic bags are translucent – they allow some light to pass through.

You can’t see what is in the metal mixing bowl as it is opaque. Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through.