Absorption - definition

Absorption is a physical or physicochemical process involving the uptake of one substance by another, where energy, molecules, or waves are transferred into the interior of the absorbing material. This phenomenon can relate to various fields of science and technology – from optics and acoustics, to chemistry and materials engineering – and can take different forms depending on the nature of the involved phenomena and the environment.

In the context of optics, absorption refers to the reduction in the intensity of electromagnetic radiation as it passes through a medium that absorbs the energy of the light wave. The absorbed energy is usually converted into heat or transferred to the internal energy states of atoms and molecules, leading to their excitation. The absorptive properties of materials are closely related to their molecular and electronic structure, hence they are used, among other things, in spectroscopy for the identification of chemical compounds.

In chemistry and industrial technology, absorption occurs when molecules of one substance – typically a gas – penetrate into the interior of a liquid or solid, forming a homogeneous system. Different from adsorption, where the binding of molecules occurs on the surface, absorption concerns volumetric processes and can be reversible or lead to permanent chemical reactions.

The phenomenon of absorption also occurs in acoustics, where the energy of sound waves is partially absorbed by a material, leading to the weakening of the wave and reducing its range. Materials with a high capacity for absorbing acoustic waves are used, among others, in sound insulation and room acoustics. Similarly, in the field of ionizing radiation, absorption is crucial for shielding and radiological protection.

Absorption can be mathematically described using an absorption coefficient, which quantifies a material's ability to absorb a specific physical quantity. In many industrial and scientific applications, controlling this phenomenon is crucial for the efficiency, safety, and precision of the operation of devices and technological systems.

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