Light is made up of waves of different sizes. But our eyes detect only certain wavelengths known as the visible spectrum, and each wavelength in the visible spectrum represents a different color. When something is clear, like glass, visible light passes straight through it without being absorbed or reflected. Wood, on the other hand, absorbs the light in wavelengths we can see.
To understand this on the atomic level, imagine electrons whizzing around in clearly defined paths, like cars on a racetrack. The racetracks are called energy levels, and they determine whether the material will absorb light. When the energy level of the electron is similar to the energy of the light, the electron absorbs the light.
Our brains are able to detect this alteration in the light and deduce the presence and shape of an object from this information. Strictly speaking, we never see an "object". We see "light" that has been altered by an object. That is why it is so difficult to build machines that can see the way humans do: there is a great deal of intelligence required to deduce an object's shape and location from a pattern of light that it has altered.
When it comes to clear objects, we see them because we see the way light bends refracts as it passes through the objects. Look closely at a glass cup. When you look at the glass cup, what do you see? You just see an image of whatever is behind the cup, but distorted.
Refraction bends the light as it passes through the cup and the background image ends up changed. Your brain is smart enough to be able to deduce the shape of the cup simply by how the background image is distorted. This leads us to an interesting notion. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Physical Science. Chemical Processes and Tests. What Makes Glass Transparent? That glass window is doing what it does best — keeping the inclement weather out while still permitting light to pass through.
The substance absorbs the photon. This occurs when the photon gives up its energy to an electron located in the material. Armed with this extra energy, the electron is able to move to a higher energy level, while the photon disappears. The substance reflects the photon. To do this, the photon gives up its energy to the material, but a photon of identical energy is emitted. The substance allows the photon to pass through unchanged.
Known as transmission, this happens because the photon doesn't interact with any electron and continues its journey until it interacts with another object. Transparent Glass FAQ Why is glass transparent to visible light but opaque to ultraviolet and infrared?
This is because of the energy UV and infrared light hold and their wavelengths. When visible light transmits through glass, waves don't have enough energy to excite the electrons within, so they pass right through the crystallized structure, thus causing transparency. Why is glass transparent while any typical metal is opaque? This concept is also known as diaphaneity or pellucidity.
While light waves don't have energy to excite and reflect off of glass' electrons, the same cannot be said about other metals. Light touches electrons, excites them and bounces back, which allows us to see the metal. Is glass always see-through? Not all glass is transparent — sometimes it is translucent or glows or may distort the image on the other end. How does sand become clear glass? The melted silicon dioxide filters away any and all impurities. While sand has impurities that render it visible, pure silicon dioxide forms a robust crystal which is clear glass.
Why is glass transparent and brittle?
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