attenuation coefficient

The attenuation coefficient is a measure of how much a substance reduces the intensity of something passing through it, such as light, sound, or radiation. When energy travels through materials, such as air or water, some of it gets absorbed or scattered, leading to a decrease in strength. The attenuation coefficient quantifies this effect, indicating how quickly the signal diminishes as it goes through the medium. A higher coefficient means more absorption or scattering, while a lower coefficient indicates that the energy can travel farther without losing much intensity.