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Translucent Objects Matchcard

The Translucent Objects Matchcard provides educational information and hands-on demonstrations of the characteristics of translucent, transparent, and opaque objects.

science-matchcard

Translucent, Transparent, Opaque

Objective: Identify transparent, translucent, and opaque objects.

Most students have no difficulty recognizing transparent (clear) objects and opaque (non-transparent) objects. But translucent is somewhat in-between.

Compare Objects

Take one of the following sets of items:

Drinking glasses - clear, frosted, and solid colored mug
Bowls - clear, translucent storage bowl, and solid colored
Paper - clear kitchen wrap, waxed paper, construction paper or aluminum foil sheet

Give the students the following definitions:

Transparent - light passes through
Opaque - Light does not pass through
Translucent - Some light passes, but is diffused in different directions.

The Hunt

Look around the room and name objects that can be seen that are either transparent, translucent, or opaque.

The opaque list will likely be the longest.

Then, have them name items they can think of that are transparent or translucent. Likely, transparent will the longest.

Next, have them go on a hunt for other translucent objects. Often, the bathroom and kitchen are good places to find translucent objects.

Finally, have them make an on-going list of translucent objects they find over a one month period. See how long it takes to get to 20 objects.

The Test

Have a set of items (such as the glasses, bowls, or paper listed above) on a table. You will want at least 2 to 3 of each type.

You will also need a large book or other stand-up divider to block the students' view.

A flashlight or other light source is needed.

Here is how to do the cool science experiment-translucent object test:

The room does not need to be completely dark, but it helps to turn off or dim the lights so the flashlight beam can be easily seen.

Put the objects behind the book, so they are not seen.

Shine the flashlight on a clear objects, so it goes through the glass, and the beam can be seen by the person on the other side of the book.

Then, shine the flashlight on the translucent object. Can they tell the difference?

Take turns shining the light on different objects. The student needs to guess which it is.

Using the Translucent Objects Matchcard

This is the first Matchcard of the Light and Energy Unit Study. You can download the Translucent Objects Matchcard here.

The student matches the characteristics of translucent, transparent, and obaque objects with the illustration of each.

The second page is the Instructor's Guide with the correct answers.

The third page has the Information Pieces. Student's cut them apart and place them in the correct place on their copy of the Matchcard (first page.)

For more information on how to use the Matchcards, see the MatchCard Science Instructor's Guide.

MatchCard Science

The activities and illustration above are from MatchCard Science, a homeschool science unit study. For the complete Light and Energy Unit Study follow this link. This unit study provides:

hands-on demonstrations
MatchCard reviews to master the material
suggestions for science projects to complete
instructions on a complete unit study curriculum

Currently this curriculum is under-going revision. We are providing free access to the unit study, with the desire that you will provide feedback as you are field testing the materials.

Science Notebook

If you are just using this single project, and are not in need of a full unit study, you might want your student to complete a science notebook entry for this project.

Return from the Translucent Objects Matchcard to the MatchCard Science Main Page.