answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In 1909, Ernest Rutherford fired alpha particles (helium nuclei) at a very thin sheet

of gold foil. Many of the alpha particles passed through but some were deflected

at an angle and some surprisingly bounced back. This experiment showed that the

atom had a dense but very small positive core, the electrons were far away from

the very small positive core (nucleus), and the electrons were separated from the

nucleus by a lot of empty space. The atom is more than 99.999999% empty space!

Like clear glass insulators, it seems that everything should be transparent to visual

light. However, metals have a loose sea of electrons that makes visible light bounce

back and the metal appears shiny. For opaque objects like metals, most of the light

is either reflected by the object or absorbed and converted to heat. For transparent

objects like air and clear glass, the light travels through it.

Another contributor passes through and pauses to observe:

The question is perplexing. It starts off by asserting glibly that insulators ...

which in my experience includes wood, rubber, and concrete ... are transparent

to visual light.

Seems to me that if insulators were transparent to visual light, then we would

always be able to see every conducting wire inside a cable of many wires, since

each and every one is covered in an insulating jacket.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

5mo ago

Insulators have a wide band gap between their valence and conduction bands, allowing them to have high transparency to visible light. Metals, on the other hand, have a partially filled conduction band which absorbs and reflects light, resulting in their opaque nature to visible light.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why are insulators transparent to visual light and metals are not?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Why insulators are transparent?

Insulators are transparent because they have a wide energy band gap that does not allow electrons to move freely and absorb light. When light passes through an insulator, it interacts with the atoms in a way that does not result in the absorption of photons, thus allowing light to transmit through the material.


What is the opposite of transparent?

The visual and optical opposite of transparent is "opaque."Metaphorically, the description of motives as transparentwould have the opposites unclear or hidden.


What are physical properties of non metals?

Non metals do not conduct heat & electricity, good insulators, non mileable, high combustivity, low density and light in weight


Is opaque a color?

"Opaque" refers to a visual property where an object is not transparent – light does not pass through it. It is not a color itself but rather a description of the way light interacts with a surface.


Non transparent materials?

Non-transparent materials do not allow light to pass through them, making them opaque. Examples include metals, wood, and ceramics. These materials absorb or reflect light rather than transmitting it.


What is the transparent outer layer of the eye called?

The transparent outer layer of the eye is called the cornea. It plays a crucial role in focusing light that enters the eye onto the retina, helping with visual acuity.


Is glass transparent translucent or opaque?

No, such a transparent metal is not possible. Metals are a conductor of electricity. As a result of this, electromagnetic waves of the wavelength of light cannot penetrate it.


What word is used for materials that light can pass through?

Transparent materials allow light to freely pass through them. Translucent materials also allow light to pass through them, but change the colour of the light.


Is there a transparent metal?

Yes, there are transparent metals. Materials like aluminum, indium tin oxide, and some metal oxides can be engineered to be transparent by controlling the arrangement of their atoms to allow light to pass through while still maintaining their metallic properties. These transparent metals have applications in electronics, optics, and coatings.


What word lets all light pass through?

The word you're looking for is "transparent." Objects that are transparent allow light to pass through them without scattering the light.


How light is affected by a transparent object?

It isn't, unless the transparent object has shape. In that case, the light will be refracted.


What media can let sound or light wave through?

Materials such as air, water, glass, and certain metals can allow sound or light waves to pass through them. These materials are known for their transparent or translucent properties, which enable the transmission of sound or light.