Some substances are able to transmit light waves but objects cannot be seen through them. Which of the following properties does this statement describe?

The statement describes the property of translucence, which refers to materials that allow light to pass through but do not permit clear images to be seen. This means that while light can travel through a translucent substance, the details and outlines of objects on the other side are blurred or obscured, thus preventing clear visibility.

This is in contrast to transparency, where objects can be seen clearly through a material, and opacity, where no light passes through at all, rendering the material completely non-transparent. Illumination, meanwhile, relates to the concept of light being emitted or reflected, rather than the transmission of light through a substance. Therefore, the characteristic described in the question aligns with translucence, making it the correct choice.