Light and Optics Concepts

Front

Opaque

Back

Impossible to see through; blocks the passage of light; looks solid

Front

Transparent

Back

A material that allows light to pass through without scattering light; looks clear

Front

Translucent

Back

Lets some light pass through; looks cloudy

Front

Reflection

Back

The bouncing back of light when it hits a surface it can't pass through

Front

Refraction

Back

The bending of a wave as it passes at an angle from one medium to another.

Front

Diffraction

Back

The bending of a wave around a barrier or through an opening.

Front

Absorption

Back

The transfer of light into a material; when an object absorbs light

Front

Visible Light Spectrum

Back

Wavelengths that your eyes see as different colors (ROYGBIV)

Front

Transmission

Back

When light is able to pass directly through a material

Front

Scattering

Back

When light is reflected in many different directions as it passes through a material