Transparent materials like clear glass thin clear plastic, transparencies, or clear water allow light to pass through so that objects behind can be clearly seen!

Translucent materials allow light to pass through them but in a way that makes objects on the other side appear blurred. Examples are frosted glass, some plastics, ice and tissue paper.

Opaque materials like metals, woods, plastics, rubber, cups do not allow light to pass through. They reflect or absorb all the light that strikes them. You cannot see through opaque objects like books or a loaf of bread.

Sinead Coakley