LIGHT

What can light pass through? When you shine light on an object, it only sometimes shines through the object.

What do all of these pictures have in common? All of these items are clear or see-through

Transparent Trans: to pass Transparent objects allow light to travel through them. It looks just as it does without the object there. If you shine a light through these items, you can see the all of the light. You can also see objects, like your hand, clearly through the object. What examples of transparent items can you think of?

What is the difference between the transparent cup and the cup on the right? The cups on the left are completely see-through, but the cup on the right is fuzzy. We call the right cup translucent.

Translucent Trans: to pass Translucent objects allow some light to travel through them. These materials make other things look blurred, fuzzy, or hard to read. If you shine a light through these items, you will see some of the light. Or, the light will be a different color, like red Jello or sunglasses. What examples of translucent items can you think of? If the prefix trans- means to pass through, why does is make sense that “translucent” and “transparent” contain that prefix?

Why can we not see the flashlight through the book? This is a random picture of a person holding a book. The person holding the book is shining a flashlight behind the book. Why can we not see the flashlight through the book? The light has been blocked by the book. It is made of an opaque material.

Opaque Opaque objects block light from traveling through them. You cannot see through these objects at all. If you shine a light through these items, you will see no light. What examples of opaque items can you think of?

Which cup is made of opaque material? Translucent? Transparent?

Light Speed! Take out three sticky notes. On one sticky note, write transparent, on the other write translucent, and on the last one write opaque. Write your name on the bottom of all three and wait for more directions.

Light Speed! When I say the word “go!” you will label objects around the room as transparent, translucent, or opaque. So, stick your opaque note on an opaque object, your transparent note on a transparent object, and so forth. Try and stick your notes on an object that no one else has chosen! Get creative!