Answer:
You have read that EM waves can interact with a material medium in
the same ways that mechanical waves do. Three forms of interaction
play an especially important role in how people see light. One form is
reflection. Most things are visible because they reflect light. The two
other forms of interaction are transmission and absorption.
(trans-MIHSH-uhn) is the passage of an EM wave
through a medium. If the light reflected from objects did not pass
through the air, windows, or most of the eye, we could not see the
objects. (uhb-SAWRP-shun) is the disappearance of an
EM wave into the medium. Absorption affects how things look, because
it limits the light available to be reflected or transmitted.
Explanation:
Transparent (trans-PAIR-uhnt) materials allow most of the light
that strikes them to pass through. It is possible to see objects
through a transparent material. Air, water, and clear glass are transparent. Transparent materials are used for items such as windows,
light bulbs, thermometers, sandwich bags, and clock faces.
Translucent (trans-LOO-suhnt) materials transmit some light, but
they also cause it to spread out in all directions. You can see light
through translucent materials, but you cannot see objects clearly
through them. Some examples are lampshades, frosted light bulbs,
frosted windows, sheer fabrics, and notepaper.
Opaque (oh-PAYK) materials do not allow any light to pass
through them, because they reflect light, absorb light, or both.
Heavy fabrics, construction paper, and ceramic mugs are opaque.
Shiny materials may be opaque mainly because they reflect light.
Other materials, such as wood and rock, are opaque mainly
because they absorb light.
