Transparent vs. Translucent

Main Difference

The main difference between transparent and translucent is that transparent is a fully cleared material or object, whereas translucent is the object or material that is semi-clear in appearance.

Transparent vs. Translucent — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Transparent and Translucent

Transparent vs. Translucent

A material or object that is perfectly clear in its appearance is known as transparent whereas a material or object that is semi-clear in its appearance and maybe frosted, stained, or darkly colored, etc. is known as translucent.

Transparent vs. Translucent

Transparent material allows all light to pass through it without being scattered; on the other hand; only partial light can pass through a translucent material.

Transparent vs. Translucent

A transparent material follows the law of refraction. Conversely, a translucent material does not follow the law of refraction.

Transparent vs. Translucent

A clear image formed by a transparent material on the flip side, a translucent material shows partial visibility and does not allow a clear image formation.

Transparent vs. Translucent

The color of a transparent material depends on the light that it emits while, the color of a translucent material depends on the amount of light scattered, absorbed, and reflected by it.

Transparent vs. Translucent

An object that is present on the other side of a transparent material is clearly visible; on the other hand, an object on the other side of a translucent material is only visible to some extent.

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Transparent vs. Translucent

We can clearly see through transparent objects, and they are also called as see-through objects, on the flip side, we can partly see-through translucent objects, and they are also called as partially-see-through objects.

Transparentadjective

(of a material or object) See-through, clear; having the property that light passes through it almost undisturbed, such that one can see through it clearly.

The waters of the lake were transparent until the factory dumped waste there.

Translucentadjective

Allowing light to pass through, but diffusing it.

Transparentadjective

(of a system or organization) Open, public; having the property that theories and practices are publicly visible, thereby reducing the chance of corruption.

Translucentadjective

Clear, lucid, or transparent.

Transparentadjective

Obvious; readily apparent; easy to see or understand.

His reasons for the decision were transparent.
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Translucentadjective

almost transparent; allowing light to pass through diffusely;

translucent ambersemitransparent curtains at the windows

Transparentadjective

(signal processing) Having the property of transparency, i.e. sufficiently accurate that the compressed result is perceptually indistinguishable from the uncompressed input.

Transparentadjective

transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity;

the cold crystalline water of melted snowcrystal clear skiescould see the sand on the bottom of the limpid poollucid aira pellucid brooktransparent cristal

Transparentadjective

so thin as to transmit light;

a hat with a diaphanous veilfilmy wings of a mothgauzy clouds of dandelion downgossamer cobwebssheer silk stockingstransparent chiffonvaporous silks

Transparentadjective

free of deceit

Transparentadjective

easily understood or seen through (because of a lack of subtlety);

a transparent explanationa transparent lie

Comparison Chart

TransparentTranslucent
A material or object that is perfectly clear in its appearance is known as transparent.A material or object that is semi-clear in its appearance and maybe frosted, stained, or darkly colored, etc. is known as translucent.
Light Penetration
Transparent material allows all light to pass through it without being scattered.Only partial light can pass through a translucent material.
Law of Refraction
A transparent material follows the law of refraction.A translucent material does not follow the law of refraction.
Image Formation
A clear image formed by a transparent material.A translucent material shows partial visibility and does not allow a clear image formation.
Color of Material
The color of a transparent material depends on the light that it emits.The color of a translucent material depends on the amount of light scattered, absorbed, and reflected by it.
Clarity
An object that is on the other side of a transparent material is clearly visible.An object that is present on the other side of a translucent material is only visible to some extent.
Visibility
We can clearly see through transparent objects, and they are also called as see-through objects.We can partly see-through translucent objects, and they are also called as partially-see-through objects.

Transparent Vs. Translucent

The terms “transparent” and “translucent” are used in the field of material science and optics etc. These two words refer to the physical properties of certain things that are usually used by people or used in building different structures or houses. These two terms are different. The capacity for light penetration distinguishes different objects or materials from each other. The term transparent is used for the material or object that is made up of clear material on the other side, translucent is the material or object that is made up of semi-clear material and maybe frosted, stained, or darkly colored. Transparent objects or material allow all light to pass through it without being scattered, on the flip side, only partial light can pass through a translucent material. A transparent material follows the law of refraction, whereas, a translucent material does not follow the law of refraction. A clear image formed by a transparent material; on the other side, a translucent material shows partial visibility and does not allow a clear image formation. The color of a transparent material depends on the light that it emits while, the color of a translucent material depends on the amount of light scattered, absorbed, and reflected by it. An object that is on the other side of a transparent material is clearly visible, on the flip side, an object on the other side of a translucent material is only visible to some extent. We can clearly see through transparent objects, so they are also called as see-through objects, on the flip side, we can partly see-through translucent objects, and they are also called as partially-see-through objects.

What is Transparent?

A material or object that is perfectly clear in its appearance is known as a transparent material such as ordinary glass. Transparent objects permit all light to pass through it. They follow the law of refraction. The color of a transparent material depends on the light that it emits. In addition, objects that are on the other side of something transparent are clearly visible. So, they are also called as see-through objects.

What is Translucent?

The items or objects are called translucent when made of semi-clear material that is opaque, stained, or dark in color. Translucent objects only allow a few amounts of light to pass through it. This material does not follow the law of refraction. The color of a translucent material depends on the amount of light scattered, absorbed, and reflected by it. Objects that are is present on the other side of a translucent material are only visible to a certain extent. So, they are also called as partially-see-through objects.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it is summarized that transparent material is an object that is perfectly clear in appearance and allow light to pass through it fully, on the other hand, translucent material is a type of material that is semi-clear in appearance and allows only partial light to pass through it.