What Do You Understand By Absorption? Can You Give Some Examples?

Absorption is basically a process of transferring energy from a wave to a medium through which it passes. In this system the energy of wave to be transferred, can be reflected, absorbed or transmitted. If the medium absorbs all of the energy, it is said to be 'opaque' to that energy. On the other hand, if the medium absorbs only a fraction of energy, it is said to be 'transparent' to that energy. The important point is that all substances absorb energy to some extent and an object can be transparent to some energy (type A) and at the same time and condition it can be opaque to some other energy (type B). For example, rubber is transparent to Infrared radiation and X-rays (type A), whereas rubber is opaque to visible light (type B). Using the same concept, green glass is transparent to green light (type A) while it is opaque to red and blue light. The near surface of ocean appears transparent to the sunlight but it becomes opaque with its depth.

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