See-through or not?
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.
Step 1 of 4
- Light shines on three sheets: glass, paper, wood.
- Through glass: a clear picture.
- Through paper: only a glow.
- Through wood: nothing gets through.
Watch out!
Coloured glass is still transparent. You see a clear picture, just tinted (given a little colour).