Re: Why is Water Clear?

Dear Wendy,

Human eyes can see only a small part of the radiation that is all around 
us.  We call this visible light.  The radio waves, heat, and the invisible 
waves that give you a sunburn, are all kinds of light that are invisible 
to us.  

We know that light passes through objects we call clear or transparent and 
light does not pass through things we call opaque.  Window glass and water 
are two materials that allow visible light to pass through them.  Light 
cannot pass through cardboard, but X-rays can easily go through this and 
many other solid objects.

To finally answer your question, water just happens to be one of the 
materials that visible light can go through and we particularly notice 
those things that allow us to see through them.

I hope this helps.