S2.6.4 For the adult
Opaque, translucent, transparent
Why can I see through glass but not through a wooden door?
What this chapter teaches
Transparent things let light through clearly, translucent things let some through and spread it out, and opaque things let none through. Light passing through a thing does not always mean you can see clearly through it.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- Which things in this room are opaque, and how do you know?
- What would you see through frosted glass, and why is it not clear?
- What shadow would you expect from clear plastic, paper and a book?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Sort things as transparent, translucent or opaque
- Say what light does at each kind of thing
- Explain how a shadow forms
What they copy into their notebook
Transparent things let almost all light through. Translucent things let some through and spread it out. Opaque things let none through, so they make a dark shadow.