Which term refers to a material that absorbs or reflects all the light that strikes it?

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The term that refers to a material that absorbs or reflects all the light that strikes it is opaque. An opaque material does not allow light to pass through, which means that it either absorbs the light energy or reflects it away. This quality prevents any light from being transmitted, making objects behind the opaque material completely invisible. Common examples of opaque materials include metals, wood, and certain plastics.

In contrast, transparent materials, such as clear glass or water, permit most of the light that strikes them to pass through, allowing visibility of objects behind them. Translucent materials like frosted glass only allow some light to pass through, diffusing it and obscuring the view of objects behind them. The term refractive describes the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another and does not pertain to the absorption or reflection of light itself, making it less relevant in this context.