Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque Materials

What happens when LIGHT hits an object?

Three (3) things can happen.

• Light passes through easily (if the object is transparent)
• Light is blurred (if the object is translucent)
• Light is blocked (if the object is opaque)

Materials

• Transparent object(s) {clear plastic cup, glass, water, etc.}
• Translucent object(s) {some tinted plastic cups, waxed paper, sunglasses, etc.}
• Opaque object(s) {some plastic cups, aluminum foil, cardboard, etc.}
• Flashlight 
• Plastic plate (optional)

Experiment

1. Show the children 3 different objects (1 transparent, 1 translucent, 1 opaque).
2. Have the children predict what will happen when they shine a light on each object
3. Have the children shine a light on each object, observe what happens, and sketch a picture of what happens and/or record their data in their science notebooks.

transparent (air)

transparent (cup)

 transparent (cup and water)

translucent (cup)

opaque (cup)

For a follow up arts and crafts activity children can use their (recycled ) materials and make a  "Light" mobile to hang. They can look for other lightweight transparent, translucent, and opaque objects to put on their mobile.