Science: Light Transparent Translucent and Opaque
Sorting materials by how much light passes through
Science: Light Transparent Translucent and Opaque
Sorting materials by how much light passes through
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
A clear window lets you see a tree outside very clearly. Is the clear window transparent, translucent, or opaque?
Transparent objects let most light pass through.
The clear window is transparent because light passes through it and you can see the tree clearly. - 2
A wooden door blocks light. You cannot see what is on the other side. Is the wooden door transparent, translucent, or opaque?
The wooden door is opaque because it blocks light and you cannot see through it. - 3
Wax paper lets some light through, but objects behind it look blurry. Is wax paper transparent, translucent, or opaque?
Translucent means light passes through partly, but the view is blurry.
Wax paper is translucent because some light passes through it, but you cannot see objects clearly. - 4
Sort these objects into three groups: clear plastic wrap, brick, frosted glass, book, clean water, tissue paper.
Ask if you can see clearly through it, see only a blurry shape, or not see through it at all.
Clear plastic wrap and clean water are transparent. Brick and book are opaque. Frosted glass and tissue paper are translucent. - 5
Mia shines a flashlight at a piece of cardboard. No light comes through the cardboard. What word describes the cardboard?
The cardboard is opaque because it does not let light pass through. - 6
Leo shines a flashlight through a clear plastic cup. The light passes through and he can see the pencil behind the cup. What word describes the clear plastic cup?
Clear materials are often transparent.
The clear plastic cup is transparent because light passes through it and the pencil can be seen clearly. - 7
A lampshade is made of thin white fabric. It lets light glow through, but you cannot see the light bulb clearly. What word describes the lampshade?
The lampshade is translucent because it lets some light through but does not let you see the bulb clearly. - 8
Write one example of a transparent object and explain how you know it is transparent.
Think of something clear that you can look through.
One example of a transparent object is a clear glass cup. It is transparent because light passes through it and you can see through it clearly. - 9
Write one example of an opaque object and explain how you know it is opaque.
One example of an opaque object is a metal spoon. It is opaque because light does not pass through it and you cannot see through it. - 10
A student says, "A mirror is transparent because it is shiny." Is the student correct? Explain your answer.
Transparent means you can see through it clearly, not just that it looks shiny.
The student is not correct. A mirror is not transparent because you cannot see through it. A mirror reflects light. - 11
Look at three classroom objects: a clear ruler, a sheet of notebook paper, and a plastic folder that makes words look blurry. Label each object as transparent, translucent, or opaque.
The clear ruler is transparent. The notebook paper is opaque. The plastic folder is translucent if it lets light through but makes words look blurry. - 12
Why might a bathroom window be made with frosted glass instead of clear glass?
Think about light and privacy.
A bathroom window might use frosted glass because frosted glass is translucent. It lets light in but keeps people from seeing clearly through it. - 13
Complete the sentences: Transparent materials let light pass through and you can see through them clearly. Translucent materials let blank light pass through. Opaque materials let blank light pass through.
Translucent materials let some light pass through. Opaque materials let no light pass through.