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Lesson 3 of 10

See-through or not?

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5 min

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Hold butter paper up to a lamp. It glows. Can you see the lamp clearly through it?

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The idea

No. Through butter paper you see only a glow.

  • Transparent — a clear picture passes through. Glass, clean water.
  • Translucent — only a glow passes through. Butter paper, frosted glass.
  • Opaque — no light passes through. Wood, steel, cardboard.

Frosted glass is glass with a rough surface.

More layers of butter paper let less light through. It still gives only a glow.

Light shines on three sheets: glass, paper, wood.
Step 1 of 4
  1. Light shines on three sheets: glass, paper, wood.
  2. Through glass: a clear picture.
  3. Through paper: only a glow.
  4. Through wood: nothing gets through.

Watch out!

Coloured glass is still transparent. You see a clear picture, just tinted (given a little colour).

Try the lab to finish this lesson.