Understanding Translucency: Definition, Examples, and Differences with Transparency

Translucency refers to the ability of a material or object to allow light to pass through it, but also to diffuse or scatter that light in such a way that objects on the other side of the material are not clearly visible. In other words, translucent materials permit some light to pass through, but they do not allow for clear visibility through them.

Examples of translucent materials include frosted glass, wax paper, and certain types of plastic. These materials allow some light to pass through, but they also scatter the light in such a way that objects on the other side of the material appear fuzzy or distorted.

In contrast, transparent materials like clear glass or crystal allow light to pass through without being scattered or diffused, providing clear visibility through them. Opaque materials, on the other hand, do not allow any light to pass through and are completely non-transparent.