Absorption Coefficients

Absorption coefficients measure how effectively a material absorbs specific wavelengths of energy, such as light or sound. Think of it as a number that indicates how much energy is taken in or dampened when passing through or hitting the material. A high absorption coefficient means the material absorbs most of that energy, reducing reflection or transmission, while a low coefficient means it lets more energy pass through or bounce off. This concept helps in designing things like soundproof rooms, optical devices, or energy-efficient materials by selecting materials based on how they absorb different types of energy.