Physics GCSE
absorption
What absorption means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of absorption
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Reference: AQA
Some electromagnetic waves are taken in by materials, such as microwaves being absorbed by water molecules to heat food or X-rays being absorbed by bone.
Wavelengths that are not reflected are absorbed, and the energy of absorbed light is transferred to the internal energy store of the surface.
The taking in of certain wavelengths and colour by a colour filter, which absorbs the rest and raises the internal energy of the filter.
Transfers the wave's energy to the material, usually warming it, as when ultrasound is absorbed by tissue.
When a wave meets a boundary its energy can be transferred to the internal energy store of the material.
The transfer of electromagnetic wave energy into a substance, often raising its temperature.
Topics that use absorption
- Reflection of waves (physics only) (AQA GCSE)
- Uses and applications of electromagnetic waves (AQA GCSE)
- Visible light (physics only) (AQA GCSE)
- Wave behaviour (OCR GCSE)
- Wave interactions (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- transmission
- Reflection
- law of reflection
- specular reflection
- ageing
- amplitude
- audible range
- Calculations with powers of ten
Using absorption in the exam
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