– what is the difference between transparency and opacity?

Question

I’m going to assume there’s a difference, but perhaps a relationship? Same concept but situationally/contextually different? Help.

Edit: I think I’m overthinking it 😆

In: 1

Answer 1

You can see through transparent things. You cannot see through opaque things. Transparent things let light pass through them. Opaque things stop light from passing through.

Answer 2

Something that is 100% transparent provides no obstruction to vision, like very clean glass.
Something with 100% opacity completely obstructs vision, like a brick wall.

The terms can be applied in the same way to other types of energy transmission, such as xray shielding for example.