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GCSE Physics · key term
An object or material that takes in the energy carried by electromagnetic radiation.
Used by AQA and OCR
Specification 4.6.2.1 · Paper 2
An object or material that takes in energy carried by a wave.
Revise: Types of electromagnetic wavesWhen a material absorbs the wave, energy is transferred to that absorber. For example, sunlight transfers energy from the Sun to your skin. An infrared heater sends out electromagnetic waves that transfer energy to an object which absorbs them.
Specification P5.2b · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
A material or object that takes in energy from electromagnetic waves.
Revise: Energy transferWhen the wave reaches matter that absorbs it, energy is transferred to that absorber. The source and absorber could be close together, as in a microwave oven, or separated by space, as with the Sun and the Earth.
Paper 1, Paper 2
Revise: Properties of the Electromagnetic SpectrumElectromagnetic radiation is a way for energy to travel from a source to an absorber, even when the two are separated by empty space. Visible light is only one member of this family. The complete range is called the electromagnetic spectrum.
When asked to explain energy transfer, identify both the source and the absorber and state the effect of absorption.
Do not say that the wave carries matter from source to absorber. Electromagnetic waves transfer energy.
Do not describe an object as an absorber merely because radiation reaches it: absorption means that energy is transferred to the object.
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