In the stained glass we find translucent glass for artistic purposes
Translucent , or translucent , is an adjective that comes from the Latin word translucĭdus . The term refers to the object that allows light to pass through, although it does not allow what is behind to be seen clearly .
Passage of light
When a body allows light to pass through easily and allows us to see clearly through it, it is transparent . On the other hand, if the light passes through but you cannot clearly see what is behind it, it is a translucent body . Finally, an opaque body blocks the passage of light.
The issue of sharpness is associated with the amount of light that passes through the translucent element. If more light passed through, it would be transparent and allow for very clear vision . Since only some light passes through, vision is rather blurred and diffuse .
This leads us to understand that translucent material is not capable of offering the greatest possible clarity, so its use should only take place in cases where such clarity in the image is not intended. Since this is only one of the properties of these materials, we cannot say that one is "better" than the other , but rather that it is more or less suitable for each application. If sharpness is not necessary, blocking the passage of light to a certain degree can offer an aesthetic result preferable to transparency.
Some examples
Take the case of a light blue plastic bottle . There is a part of the light that can pass through the container and another that cannot. That is why these plastic bottles are translucent: if we look through them, we can recognize shapes but without appreciating details .
We can also find glasses and plates made of translucent materials, both plastic and glass. In this case there is nothing more than an aesthetic issue behind the design , since its use does not offer any advantage over opaque or transparent alternatives. We could say, in any case, that transparency is important in a container to detect dirt particles, for example, but it is still a subjective opinion.
Utility of translucent material
Many times the fact of appealing to a translucent material has justifications that go beyond aesthetics. In the case of beer, for example, it is usually packaged in bottles made of translucent brown (or green) glass so that ultraviolet rays do not alter the quality of the drink .
A window with translucent glass , on the other hand, promotes lighting while preserving some privacy . This can be especially useful in the case of a bathroom, if you want to illuminate it naturally while protecting the privacy of its users.
The beer bottle is translucent to maintain its quality
Translucent clothing , meanwhile, hints at what is underneath. Although it is not necessarily associated with indecency, there are those who do not accept it for the simple fact that it reveals the underwear or, depending on the case, the body of the person wearing it. In this framework, it is normal for translucent clothing to be worn by the most self-confident people, since they do not allow imperfections to be hidden like opaque clothing.
A translucent glass of different colors can also provide very particular lighting, since the light takes on various tints and causes unique effects in the environment. In churches we find stained glass , also known as polychrome stained glass or crystal glass , a composition that results from assembling many pieces to recreate biblical images and other symbolic motifs . Its appearance is imposing and its influence on the environment during the hours of natural light is undeniable.