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Grade 6 Beginner About 10 min Version 1 Awaiting review Premium

Transparent, translucent or opaque?

Light travels in straight lines. When it meets a material, it may pass through, be scattered, or be blocked. A transparent material lets almost all the light pass straight through, so you can see clearly through it. A translucent material lets some light through but scatters it, so things behind it look blurred. An opaque material lets no light through: it blocks the light and casts a dark shadow.

What you will learn

  • Test materials by shining light through them.
  • Classify materials as transparent, translucent or opaque.
  • Choose suitable materials for windows, curtains and lampshades.

Before you start

  • Know that we see objects when light from them enters our eyes.

Materials

  • Clear glass, clear plastic, water in a clear jar, tracing paper, oiled paper, frosted glass, thin white cloth, wood, cardboard, steel plate, a mirror, a stone

Equipment

  • Torch, white screen

Procedure

  1. Choose a card and shine a torch through the material onto a screen.
  2. Check whether you can see the torch clearly, see only a glow, or see a shadow.
  3. Place each card in the right group.