Transparent Materials, Translucent Objects, and Opaque Objects are explained here along with definitions, characteristics, a lot of examples, so many images, animated video, etc.

Let’s explore transparent translucent opaque objects and examples!

Transparent Materials, Translucent Objects, and Opaque Objects or Materials

Have you heard the term transparent objects, translucent objects, or opaque objects or materials? Let us take, a glass of water and try to look through it. Are you able to see anything which is kept other side of the glass?

Yes, you can!

• Now if we take a simple plastic cup that is not very clear, then?
• Or if we take your favorite fruit like an apple or you can take a brick, will you be able to see it now?

In the case of plastic glass, you can see things partially but in the case of apple or brick, we can not see anything.

Now, all the above-referred objects, like glass, plastic cups, or apples are different and we see differently through these objects and the concept of these objects comes into the picture. 

Types of Objects – Transparent Materials, Translucent Objects, and Opaque Objects with Examples

We have seen three kinds of object in our examples

Objects	Observations
1. Glass	Through which we can see clearly
2. Plastic cup	Through which we can see partially
3. Apple	Through which we can not see anything

Now, why we see differently in different objects? It is simply because light passes differently through various types of objects.

• In the first case, light passes through easily in the glass, so we can see clearly.
• In the second case, light passes through partially in a plastic cup, so can see but not clearly.
• In the third case, light can not pass through in the case of apple, hence, we can not see anything. 

Hence, we can divide objects into three groups based on the above.

Transparent Objects or Materials Through which light can pass through easily (Glass)
Translucent Objects or Materials Through which light can pass through partially (Plastic cup)
Opaque Objects or Materials Through which light can not pass through (Apple or Brick)

Check out our ANIMATED video!

What is a Transparent Material or Object? Examples of Transparent Materials

The transparent object is explained along with examples.

Transparent Materials/Objects Definition

The object which allows light to pass through completely is called a Transparent object. 

Characteristics of Transparent Materials

Characteristics of Transparent Materials are as follows:

• Light can pass completely through these objects.
• We can see clearly through transparent materials. 
• Any object kept on the other side of the transparent object is clearly visible.
• No shadow formation in these objects, since, this object doesn’t block the light.
• Transparent objects sometimes known as see-through objects since we see clearly through these objects.

Examples at a glance

Look at the images of a few transparent objects, which we used to see in our daily life. 

Examples of Transparent Materials or Objects

What are transparent objects examples? Let’s see! There are so many transparent materials examples, are as follows

Glasses 

We see a lot of things made of glass, like watches, lenses, water glasses, spectacles, fish tanks, etc and we see clearly through it. Here, light rays pass through completely. So, these glasses are transparent objects.

Clear Plastics

There are so many plastics are available in the market, which are very thin, and we can see clearly.

Diamond

Dimond is the clearest thing and if you take a piece of diamond and try to look at your writings on paper. You will see it very clearly. So, a diamond is a transparent material.

Water

If you see something through clear and stable water, you will see the thing through the water very clearly. Please make a note that if the water is not clear, you can not see clearly. 

Air

Air exists in our surroundings and we see everything through the air. When you travel by airplane, try to see outside through the window. You can see how the air is coming under the transparent object.

Prism

Prism is also the most transparent material and we see everything through the prism.

Clear cellophane sheet

It is very thin and very transparent. We all use it in our home, just try to look through it any object. You will see everything clearly. 

What Are Translucent Objects or Materials? Examples

Translucent Objects Definition

The object which allows light to pass through partially is called a Translucent object. 

Characteristics of Translucent Objects

Characteristics of Translucent Objects are as follows:

• Light can pass partially through these objects.
• We can not see clearly through translucent objects. 
• Any object kept on the other side of the transparent object is not clearly visible.
• Faint shadow formation in these objects, since, this object doesn’t block the light.
• Transparent objects sometimes known as partially see-through objects since we see partially through these objects.

Examples at a glance

If someone asks you, what do you mean by translucent objects give two examples? What do you reply? It is simple! The material through which light passes partially is simply translucent material. Two objects are frosted glass & tinted glass.

Few of the images of translucent objects are captured for basic understanding, 

Examples of Translucent Materials or Objects

A few of the translucent objects examples are as follows,

Frosted Glass

When a glass is having moisture or frosted, we cannot see the opposite side clearly. But partially we can see the opposite side. Hence, frosted glass is a translucent object.

Thin Fabrics

It is also another example of a translucent material, as you can see partially. Take a thin fabric and do your experiment to confirm it is a translucent object.

Tracing Paper

We can not see clearly through tracing paper. We draw many things with the help of tracing paper. How to do it? It is simple – just place your tracing paper on the sketch, as you see the sketch partially, you can draw it easily. 

Tinted glass

If you are on one side of any tinted glass, will you be able to see clearly an opposite side of it? Not, you cannot see clearly.

Coloured Plastics

We all have colored plastics in our homes, try to look through them. You will be understood, colored plastic is a translucent material.

Clouds

When you are on a plane, I am sure you will try to look outside. But I am sure you cannot see clearly through clouds.

Colored balloons

Last time, when you attend your friend’s birthday party, have tried to see whether colored balloons are transparent or not?

Butter paper

Ask your mom a butter paper and try to look through it now! Are you able to see through butter paper clearly? No.

Stained glass

We can not see through the stained glass clearly. If you visit an old empire, you can tinted glass for your understanding. 

Colored liquids

 

 

If you keep this liquid in a glass bottle, you can not see through these colored liquids. 

What Are Opaque Materials or Objects? Examples

Opaque Objects Definition

The object which doesn’t allow light to pass through is called an Opaque material. 

Characteristics of Opaque Materials

Characteristics of Opaque Objects are as follows:

• Light can not pass through these materials.
• We can not see anything through opaque materials. 
• Any object kept on the other side of the opaque object is not visible.
• Dark shadow formation in these objects, since, this object fully blocks the light.

Examples at a glance

Few images of opaque objects are shown here,

Examples of Opaque Objects or Materials

Opaque material/object examples are listed here,

Mirror

When we comb hair, what we see? We see ourselves. Can we see the portion which is the backside of the mirror? Not at all. There is a coating behind the mirror, which doesn’t allow light to pass through. Hence, light can not pass through the mirror and it is an opaque material.

Apple

We cannot see anything through an apple. Take an apple & try it. Hence, the apple is an opaque material. 

Brick

Brick is an opaque object, as no light can pass through.

Paper cup

Nobody can see anything through the paper cup. You can try it right now. 

Stone

Stone doesn’t allow light to pass through, so, it is an opaque object

Can

An opaque material

Wooden or steel cupboard

We cannot see anything through wooden or steel cupboard

Book

Can you see anything through the book? No! Hence, it is an opaque material.

Plastic Chair

We all have plastic chairs or maybe wooden chairs. Can you see anything through these chairs? No, you cannot! Hence, plastic or wooden chairs are examples of opaque objects. 

Difference Between Transparent Translucent Opaque Materials and Objects

The difference between Transparent materials, Translucent objects, and Opaque materials are as follows:

Transparent Material/Object	Translucent Material/Object	Opaque Material/Object
Light pass-through completely	Light pass-through partially	Light cannot pass-through
We can see things through these objects clearly	We can see things through these objects partially	We cannot see things through these objects
An object kept on the other side is completely visible	An object kept on the other side is partially visible	An object kept on the other side is not visible
No shadow formation	Faint shadow formation	Dark shadow formation
Glass, lenses, water, etc. are examples of transparent materials	Frosted glass, tinted glass, etc. are translucent objects examples.	Brick, book, wood, etc. are opaque objects examples

Examples of Transparent Materials Translucent Objects and Opaque Materials

A simple example including Transparent object, translucent object, and opaque object is illustrated below:

Further Study

 

Reference

• NCERT Books
• Study Windows’s Experience

Conclusion

Hence, we have learned transparent materials, translucent objects, and opaque materials or objects along with examples. Do have any doubt on the subject? Write to us in the below comment box!

Exercise on Transparent Materials, Translucent Materials, and Opaque Objects

Exercise-1

Fill in the blank place as below, with

Opaque, transparent,  translucent

• A material through which light can easily pass is known as _________ object.
• Plain glass is an example of __________ material.
• What do you think, Mirror is an example of ________ object?
• Colored plastic is example of ________ material.
• A material through which we cannot see anything is called  ________ object.

Answer:

• Transparent
• Transparent
• Opaque
• Translucent
• Opaque

Exercise-2

Match between right & left column of the table

Objects	Properties
Football	Transparent Material
Brick	Transparent Material
Sunglass	Opaque Material
Clear water	Translucent Material
Cloud	Opaque Material

Answer

Objects	Properties
Football	Opaque Material
Brick	Opaque Material
Sunglass	Transparent Material
Clear water	Transparent Material
Cloud	Translucent Material