3.3.18

Observing Light

Test yourself

Visible Light

The human eye can see visible light. Visible light is a type of electromagnetic radiation. When light hits an object, it can be absorbed, reflected, or transmitted. This decides if an object is opaque, translucent, or transparent.

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Opaque

  • Opaque objects reflect or absorb all the light that hits them.

  • No light passes through these objects.

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Translucent

  • Translucent objects let light pass through, but the light rays are scattered.

  • We cannot see objects clearly through translucent objects.

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Transparent

  • Transparent objects let light pass through without scattering the rays.

  • We can clearly see objects on the other side of transparent objects.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Disciplinary Knowledge

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