If on a molecular level things are opaque, why can you see through water? Molecules have mass, there for they take up space. If there are no spaces between the molecules, why is it transparent?
2007-08-05 05:19:53 · 7 answers · asked by Dan T 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
why only water...
i can see thru clothes as well.
2007-08-08 21:36:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I haven't got a complete scientific handle on it off the top of my head, but best I remember it has to do with the refraction of light through this particular molecular construction, the same thing applying to plain glass, perspex, and a lot of other transparant substances. Nice question though. I'll be interested to see if there are any real scientists tuning in, who may give a more precise answer.
2007-08-05 06:08:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, spaces do exist between molecules; in fact, spaces exist between atoms that are adjacent to each other - this is how metal alloys are formed (one type of atom slips into the spaces between other types of atoms to form a metal alloy) [1]. Try this, take some marbles or chocolate malt balls and place them side by side so that they're touching. Arrange them into a 3 x 3 square - you should notice gaps between the marbles/malt balls. These marbles/malt balls represent atoms; and sure enough, there are spaces between them (don't eat them just yet).
But here's my theory of why water is transparent:
Pour yourself a cup of water into a clear plastic/glass cup. If you look at the water from above, you'll be able to see the bottom of the cup because light rays can easily pass through those big gaps between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms and into your eyes. This is just like looking at your array of marbles/malt balls from above - you can see all the gaps between the malt balls very clearly.
But you can't always see through the water. Try looking at the water from a different angle - look at the top surface of the water from the side of the cup, and you'll see a reflection of what is (most likely) a ceiling. This is due to Total Internal Reflection [3]. In this case, light coming from the bottom of the cup cannot reach your eyes. For instance, try looking at your array of marbles/malt balls from the side (at a lower angle). You should not be able to see the cracks between the marbles/malt balls, which also means that light coming from those cracks cannot reach your eyes.
Anyway, all of this was to illustrate that the reason why you can see through water (at least from above), is because the arrangement of water molecules, and atoms allow light to pass through the gaps between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms and into your eyes.
2007-08-05 10:22:55 · answer #3 · answered by Aquaboy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen. Both are transparent, thus water is transparent. All molecules are not opaque.
2007-08-05 05:25:38 · answer #4 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Light, the deeper the darker. Distortion, this is why divers wear "glasses" plus pressure, and irritants matters that affect eyes.
2007-08-05 05:26:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
first of all...it's THEREFORE one word Not all molecules are opaque if you're asking thet you had may as well be asking "why can you see through glass?"
2007-08-05 05:24:50 · answer #6 · answered by big_liver5150 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Because it is clear and so is the glass and air.
2007-08-05 05:29:36 · answer #7 · answered by Karen P 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋