What defines a translucent material?

A translucent material is defined by its ability to scatter light, resulting in unclear or blurry images when viewed through it. Unlike transparent materials that allow light to pass through clearly, translucent materials permit some light to pass but diffuse it, preventing sharp images from forming. This scattering effect occurs due to the structure of the material, which disrupts the direct path of light waves.

For example, frosted glass is a common translucent material. It lets some light enter, allowing us to see shapes and movements, but the details remain obscured. This characteristic distinguishes translucent materials from transparent ones, which transmit light without significant scattering, and opaque materials, which do not allow light to pass through at all. The definition involving the emission of light refers to luminous substances, which is unrelated to translucence.