absorption coefficient

The absorption coefficient measures how much light, sound, or other types of energy are absorbed by a material as they pass through it. A higher coefficient means more energy is absorbed, while a lower coefficient indicates that more energy passes through. For example, when sunlight shines on a surface, the absorption coefficient helps determine how much of that light is absorbed and how much is reflected or transmitted. This concept is important in fields like acoustics, optics, and material science, influencing everything from building design to the effectiveness of solar panels.