Transparent Materials Examples Clarified
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If you're in Key Stage 1, you're probably learning all about everyday materials and their properties in your science lessons.
How hard or soft they are, if they can bend or even how transparent the materials may be. If you're not too sure about what a transparent material is, don't worry- we will explain everything!
What Is A Transparent Material?
As you know, light can travel across far distances and even through solid objects and materials.
A transparent material is a material that lets light travel through it, meaning we can see through the object completely.
One example of this is glass- it is a solid material we can see right through which means that it is transparent!
Think of a window in your house- as it's transparent we can see everything that is happening inside and outside.
Why not try looking for yourself?
Look through your window or even ask mum or dad if they can help you to find an object made of see-through plastic.
Can you see through it? Does it let all the light through? Have a go and find some other objects too!
What Is A Translucent Material?
Materials that let through a little bit of light, but not all of it, are something that we call a translucent material.
This means while the material won't completely block light from coming through it, the material does not let through as much light as a transparent material.
Not too sure still? Have you been doing some baking during lockdown?
You may have been using a translucent material all this time! Baking paper or non-stick paper that you and your family use to cover the tin for yummy bakes is actually a translucent material.
Take a look for yourself!
Tear off a bit of paper, and then hold a torch or light up to it..
Can you see clearly through it? Does it only let a little bit of light through? Find out by having a go.
What Is An Opaque Material?
Materials that are opaque do not let light pass through them at all.
Examples of opaque materials are cardboard, foil, wood and stone or even your teddy bear!
Still not sure what an opaque material is?
Well, then close your eyes and open them 3 times in a row.
Can you see anything when you close your eyes?
That means your eyelids are opaque- they do not let through any light!
Which Object Is The Most Transparent?
Now you know what a transparent material, a translucent material and an opaque material are, it's time to put your science skills to the test in order to find what object is the most transparent.
With the help of your family, go around the house and find:
10 different objects made of different materials- for example, a plastic tub, a coin or even some reading glasses!
Some A4 paper or a notebook
Drawing pencils, crayons or felt-tips
A torch
When you have found all these items, take all 10 objects and in turn hold them up to the torch you have found.
Your task is to order the objects from the least transparent to the most transparent.
Give each object a score out of 10, with 10 being the most transparent and 1 being the least, and order them according to their score.
You then have to draw each item in the correct order and compare with anyone else who has joined in.
Have fun!
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Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Science
Avneet BainsBachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Science
After graduating with a degree in Liberal Arts and Science from the University of Birmingham, Avneet has developed a passion for history and loves to spend time adventuring with family and friends. Her love for exploring new places began at a young age, and she has traveled to many far-off destinations, including her ancestral village in India and the Golden Temple in Amritsar. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and reading.
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