what you see - unit 10

Today we learned that when you are looking at an object, you aren't actually seeing the object. Instead, light is reflected off of the object, which is what you see. Electromagnetic waves (EM), or electromagnetic radiation, is radiation consisting of self-sustaining oscillating electric and magnetic fields at 90˚ angles facing each other and at the direction of the motion of the em wave is transmitted through a medium such as air or water. It does not require a supporting medium and travels through empty space at the speed of light.

We also learned that objects are either transparent or opaque. If they are transparent, the em frequency is allowed to go through it. If opaque, the em frequency is NOT allowed to go through. The little trinket I bought in china town many years ago on a field trip, is an example of a transparent object. I know that it is transparent because light can go through it, and I can see from one side to another if I look through the glass. Some objects that are not transparent, are mirrors, books, carpet etc.