Which word describes something that does not let light through?

Which word describes something that does not let light through?

• A. Opaque
• B. Transparent
• C. Translucent
• D. Clear

Answer: (A)

Light interaction with materials and how much light passes through is what this item is testing. An opaque material is the one that does not let light through at all. It reflects or absorbs all the light that hits it, so you can’t see through to what’s on the other side. That’s why common substances like wood, metal, or brick block vision and light completely. In contrast, transparent materials let light pass through with little to no scattering, so you can see clearly through them, like glass. Translucent materials allow some light to pass but scatter it, so you can’t see objects clearly on the other side. Clear is often used to describe something you can see through easily, overlapping with the idea of transparency. So the word describing something that does not let light through is opaque.

Light interaction with materials and how much light passes through is what this item is testing. An opaque material is the one that does not let light through at all. It reflects or absorbs all the light that hits it, so you can’t see through to what’s on the other side. That’s why common substances like wood, metal, or brick block vision and light completely.

In contrast, transparent materials let light pass through with little to no scattering, so you can see clearly through them, like glass. Translucent materials allow some light to pass but scatter it, so you can’t see objects clearly on the other side. Clear is often used to describe something you can see through easily, overlapping with the idea of transparency. So the word describing something that does not let light through is opaque.