What is a characteristic of opaque materials?

Opaque materials are characterized by their inability to transmit light. When light encounters an opaque object, it is either absorbed or reflected, but no light is allowed to pass through. This property is what defines an opaque material, making it distinctly different from transparent and translucent materials, which allow varying degrees of light to pass through them.

The complete blockage of light means that an opaque material cannot be seen through; this is why, for instance, a wooden wall or a sheet of metal is classified as opaque. The scientific understanding of light behavior with materials categorizes opacity as a fundamental property that is critical in many optical applications and technologies.