Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello,

I am needing to know the SI measurement (if there is one) for an objects transparency, or the ability to see through a opaque object.

IE: a home window would be (relatively) perfectly opaque, while a piece of tupperware may be 10% opaque.

Perhaps it could best apply to transparency of standard glass windows, with glazes, frosts, etc. Is there a specific way to measure the amount of total visibility through a solid object, and what is the generally accepted measurement or said visibility?

Happy to elaborate if too open-ended.

Thanks for all responses.

Hello philipval,

Opacity is usually a measure of the relative intensity of light passing through an object. Because it is a relative measure there is no unit for opacity. More details are provided in the following links.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opacity_(optics)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpare ... anslucency

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_meter

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman