Transparent vs Opaque: Why are Some Objects Different?

[blumfeld0]

why are some things transparent like glass and others opaque like some metals or plastics?
thank you

 

[Claude Bile]

It all depends on the energy band structure of the solid. A given photon has a high probability of being absorbed if it matches some type of resonant transitions within the solid. Whether a material is transparent or opaque thus depends on what part of the spectrum you are interested in.

Take glass for an example. It is transparent in the visible, yet it is opaque in the infrared.

Claude.

 

[denian]

for your question. The difference in transparency or opacity of objects is due to their molecular structure and composition. Transparent materials, such as glass, have a molecular structure that allows light to pass through them without being scattered, resulting in the ability to see through them. On the other hand, opaque materials, like metals and plastics, have a molecular structure that blocks or scatters light, making them unable to transmit light and therefore not transparent. This difference in molecular structure can also affect other properties of the material, such as its strength and conductivity. Additionally, the way light interacts with materials is also dependent on factors such as thickness, surface finish, and impurities, which can further affect their transparency or opacity. Overall, the transparency or opacity of an object is a result of its unique molecular composition and structure, which determines how light is transmitted, absorbed, or scattered.