Why water looks transparent while spray looks white?

AI Thread Summary
Water appears transparent due to its smooth surface, while spray looks white because of the multitude of tiny droplets that scatter light in various directions. When water hits a surface, like a stone, it creates a spray that diffuses light, resulting in a white appearance at the bottom of waterfalls compared to the clear water above. This phenomenon is similar to how grinding transparent glass into powder changes its optical properties. The optical effects of reflection and refraction are key to understanding this difference. Ultimately, the scattering of light by numerous droplets is what gives spray its white color.
espressogelato
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The water looks transparent, but when the water hit the stone, it looks as if it turns white? Why?
 
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More complex surface -> more diffuse reflection, refraction. Same with grinding transparent glass to white powder.
 
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What exactly is "spray" in this context?
 
All those optical effects mentioned above. A bit like the same reason why a pair of corrective glasses works for one person and not for somebody else.
 
rollete said:
All those optical effects mentioned above. A bit like the same reason why a pair of corrective glasses works for one person and not for somebody else.
I don't perceive this metaphor.
 
Drakkith said:
What exactly is "spray" in this context?
"the spray" here just like the drop created when the water hits the stone. For example, the bottom of the waterfall is white while the top is transparent.
 
espressogelato said:
"the spray" here just like the drop created when the water hits the stone. For example, the bottom of the waterfall is white while the top is transparent.

Ah okay. I think A.T.'s answer is right. The huge number of droplets reflects and scatters the light in all directions, resulting in a white color instead of a transparent "sheet".
 
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