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translucent

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Translucent materials allow some light to pass through them, but not all of it. The light that passes through is scattered, which is why objects seen through translucent materials appear blurry or distorted.

The amount of light that passes through a translucent material depends on the thickness of the material and the size of the particles that make up the material. Thicker materials and materials with larger particles scatter more light, so they appear more translucent.

Translucent materials are used in a variety of applications, including:

  • Lighting
  • Decorative arts
  • Building materials
  • Medical devices

How can the word be used?

The translucent jellyfish floated in the water, its delicate body glowing in the moonlight.

translucent

Different forms of the word

Adjective:

allowing light to pass through, but not clearly.

Noun:

the quality of being translucent.

Etymology

The word "translucent" comes from the Latin words "trans" and "lucens", which mean "through" and "shining" respectively.

The first recorded use of the word "translucent" in English was in the 16th century.

The word "translucent" is a Latin word, and it is related to the Italian word "trasparente" and the Spanish word "translúcido".

Question

What does translucent mean?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Define the term "translucent" and explain how it differs from transparent and opaque materials. Provide examples of translucent materials and describe the basic principle behind their optical properties.

Answer:

"Translucent" refers to a property of materials that allow some light to pass through but scatter it in different directions, making objects on the other side less distinct. This is distinct from "transparent" materials that allow light to pass through without significant scattering, and "opaque" materials that do not allow any light to pass through.

Examples of translucent materials include frosted glass, wax paper, and certain types of plastic. These materials possess microscopic structures or particles that cause light to scatter as it passes through, creating a diffused and blurred appearance on the other side. This scattering of light prevents clear images from forming and gives translucent materials their characteristic hazy or milky appearance.

For instance, frosted glass is made by sandblasting or acid etching clear glass, creating tiny imperfections on its surface. When light enters the frosted glass, it scatters off these imperfections in various directions, diffusing the light and obscuring the view on the other side. Similarly, wax paper contains small wax particles that scatter light, allowing some illumination to pass through but not revealing fine details.