Final answer:
Transparent mediums allow clear visibility through them, translucent mediums allow light to pass but scatter it, and opaque mediums prevent light from passing through, either absorbing or reflecting it. These properties vary with different frequencies of electromagnetic waves; what is transparent at one frequency may be opaque at another.
Step-by-step explanation:
A transparent medium is a material that allows light to pass through with little to no distortion, meaning you can clearly see through it. Examples include materials like clean air, water, and most glasses. A translucent medium, on the other hand, allows light to pass through but diffuses it, so that objects on the other side cannot be clearly discerned through the medium. Materials like frosted glass or thin paper are translucent. Lastly, an opaque medium prevents light from passing through; it either absorbs or reflects all (or most) of the light that strikes it. Metals and wood are typical examples of opaque materials. When discussing electromagnetic waves, it's important to note these properties can vary based on the wave's frequency. For example, ordinary glass is transparent to visible light but opaque to ultraviolet radiation. Similarly, human skin is opaque to visible light but transparent to X-rays. These concepts are essential in understanding how light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation interact with various substances.