transparency

Transparency in matter refers to the ability of a substance to allow light to pass through it easily, making it possible to see objects on the other side. This property is related to how light interacts with the atoms and molecules of a material.123

When light encounters matter, its energy can be transferred to the material's particles, causing them to vibrate. If a substance absorbs only a small fraction of light energy, it is considered transparent. Conversely, if all the energy is absorbed, the substance is opaque.34

Glass, for example, is generally transparent because its electrons cannot easily absorb and re-emit photons. However, glass can become opaque to certain wavelengths of light, such as ultraviolet or infrared radiation, depending on its composition. The color of glass is also a result of its selective absorption of specific light wavelengths.5