Transparent materials, such as glass, allow light to pass and enable visibility through them, whereas opaque materials, like iron, blocklight and prevent seeing through them.
The difference between a transparent and an opaque type declaration pertains to their interaction with light. Transparent materials, like a Petri dish made of glass or plastic, allow light to pass through, enabling us to see through the material and observe its contents. On the other hand, opaque items, such as a slice of an iron meteorite, do not transmit light, thus preventing visualization of objects behind them.
Let's consider a few everyday objects to determine their characteristics concerning electromagnetic waves:
- A window made of glass is transparent to visible light, allowing clear sight through it.
- An aluminum foil is opaque because it reflects light and doesn't allow it to pass through.
- A wall is typically opaque as it blocks light entirely, and you cannot see through it.
In summary, transparent objects allow transmission of light, while opaque objects block light from passing through, affecting visibility and light transmission.