Transparent objects allow you to see clearly through them. They allow light to pass through. Some examples are:

Why is it important for these objects to be transparent?

THE WINDOWS ON A SCHOOL BUS

A CLEAR EMPTY GLASS

A CLEAR WINDOW PANE

THE LENSES OF SOME EYEGLASSES

CLEAR PLASTIC WRAP

THE GLASS ON A CLOCK

A HAND LENS

COLORED GLASS…

Transparent objects

Translucent objects only let some light through them. You cannot see clearly through a translucent object. Some examples are:

Why don’t we have to see through these objects?

THIN TISSUE PAPER

WAXED PAPER

TINTED CAR WINDOWS

FROSTED GLASS

CLOUDS

Translucent objects

Opaque objects do not let any light through them. You cannot see through them. Some examples of opaque objects are:

Why is it important that these objects are opaque?

HEAVY WEIGHT PAPER

CARDBOARD

ALUMINUM FOIL

MIRROR

BRICKS

BUILDINGS

YOUR EYELIDS AND HANDS

SOLID WOOD DOOR

Opaque objects

Opaque objects

Opaque objects cast a dark

shadow because they block light

completely.

Can you sort the objects on your table into transparent, translucent, and opaque? Use the graphic organizer your teacher gives you.