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From Nordan Symposia
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==Etymology==
[[Latin]] translucent-, translucens, present participle of translucēre to shine through, from trans- + lucēre to shine — more at [[light]]
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1607]
==Definitions==
*1 : permitting the passage of [[light]]: a : clear, [[transparent]] <translucent water>
:b : transmitting and diffusing light so that objects beyond cannot be seen clearly
*2 : [[free]] from [[disguise]] or falseness <his translucent patriotism
==Description==
In the field of [[optics]], [[transparency]] (also called pellucidity or diaphaneity) is the [[physical]] property of allowing [[light]] to pass through a [[material]]; '''translucency''' (also called translucence or translucidity) only allows light to pass through [[diffusely]]. The [[opposite]] property is [[opacity]]. Transparent materials are clear, while translucent ones cannot be seen through clearly.
When [[light]] encounters a [[material]], it can interact with it in several [[different]] ways. These interactions depend on the [[nature]] of the light (its [[wavelength]], [[frequency]], [[energy]], etc.) and the nature of the material. Light [[waves]] interact with an object by some combination of [[reflection]], and transmittance with [[refraction]].
Some [[materials]], such as plate glass and clean water, allow much of the [[light]] that falls on them to be transmitted, with little being [[reflected]]; such materials are called optically [[transparent]]. Many liquids and aqueous solutions are highly transparent. [[Absence]] of [[structural]] defects (voids, cracks, etc.) and [[molecular]] [[structure]] of most liquids are mostly responsible for excellent optical transmission.
[[Materials]] which do not allow the [[transmission]] of [[light]] are called [[opaque]]. Many such substances have a [[chemical]] composition which includes what are referred to as absorption [[centers]]. Many substances are selective in their absorption of white [[light]] frequencies. They absorb certain portions of the visible [[spectrum]], while reflecting others. The frequencies of the spectrum which are not absorbed are either reflected back or transmitted for our [[physical]] [[observation]]. This is what gives rise to [[color]]. The attenuation of [[light]] of all frequencies and wavelengths is due to the combined [[mechanisms]] of absorption and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_scattering_in_liquids_and_solids scattering].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translucent]
[[Category: Physics]]
==Etymology==
[[Latin]] translucent-, translucens, present participle of translucēre to shine through, from trans- + lucēre to shine — more at [[light]]
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1607]
==Definitions==
*1 : permitting the passage of [[light]]: a : clear, [[transparent]] <translucent water>
:b : transmitting and diffusing light so that objects beyond cannot be seen clearly
*2 : [[free]] from [[disguise]] or falseness <his translucent patriotism
==Description==
In the field of [[optics]], [[transparency]] (also called pellucidity or diaphaneity) is the [[physical]] property of allowing [[light]] to pass through a [[material]]; '''translucency''' (also called translucence or translucidity) only allows light to pass through [[diffusely]]. The [[opposite]] property is [[opacity]]. Transparent materials are clear, while translucent ones cannot be seen through clearly.
When [[light]] encounters a [[material]], it can interact with it in several [[different]] ways. These interactions depend on the [[nature]] of the light (its [[wavelength]], [[frequency]], [[energy]], etc.) and the nature of the material. Light [[waves]] interact with an object by some combination of [[reflection]], and transmittance with [[refraction]].
Some [[materials]], such as plate glass and clean water, allow much of the [[light]] that falls on them to be transmitted, with little being [[reflected]]; such materials are called optically [[transparent]]. Many liquids and aqueous solutions are highly transparent. [[Absence]] of [[structural]] defects (voids, cracks, etc.) and [[molecular]] [[structure]] of most liquids are mostly responsible for excellent optical transmission.
[[Materials]] which do not allow the [[transmission]] of [[light]] are called [[opaque]]. Many such substances have a [[chemical]] composition which includes what are referred to as absorption [[centers]]. Many substances are selective in their absorption of white [[light]] frequencies. They absorb certain portions of the visible [[spectrum]], while reflecting others. The frequencies of the spectrum which are not absorbed are either reflected back or transmitted for our [[physical]] [[observation]]. This is what gives rise to [[color]]. The attenuation of [[light]] of all frequencies and wavelengths is due to the combined [[mechanisms]] of absorption and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_scattering_in_liquids_and_solids scattering].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translucent]
[[Category: Physics]]
