light absorption

Taking in radiance

Light absorption is the process by which a material takes in light energy rather than reflecting or transmitting it.

When light strikes a surface, some wavelengths are absorbed and converted to heat or other forms of energy.

This explains why objects have color—a red apple absorbs most wavelengths but reflects red.

The dark paint increased light absorption, making the room warmer.

Related

Beer-Lambert law · molar absorptivity · pigment · attenuation · photodetectors · spectroscopy · solar panels · solar radiation · absorptivity · cyanobacteria · carotenoids · albedo · phototropism · dark matter · energy transfer · quantum states · reflectance · color

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Opposites
optical interaction mechanism

light absorptionlight reflection

Redirected luminance from surfaces

reflection · transmission · reflectivity · mirror reflection · specular reflection

energy transfer direction

light absorptionlight emission

Release of visible energy

emission · luminescence · phosphorescence · fluorescence · radiance

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