Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Physics · key term
The transfer of a wave’s energy to a material as the wave passes into it.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.6.1.3, 4.6.1.5, 4.6.2.2, 4.6.2.4 · Paper 2
The transfer of energy from a wave to a material rather than the wave continuing as that wave.
The transfer of energy from a wave to a material as the wave travels through it, weakening the wave.
The taking in of radiation by a material.
Specification 4.9P, 4.11, 5.3P, 5.8, 5.13, 5.19P, 5.21, 5.24, 6.8 · Paper 1
The transfer of energy from a wave to a material rather than that energy continuing in the wave.
Revise: Wave Effects at InterfacesSome of its energy may return, some may pass into the second material, and some may be taken up by the material. These effects are called reflection, transmission and absorption. A wave that passes into the second material may also be refracted.
The transfer of energy from a wave to a substance as the wave interacts with it.
The transfer of energy from electromagnetic radiation to a material when the radiation is taken in.
The taking in of energy from a wave by a material.
The transfer of energy from an electromagnetic wave to a substance.
The taking in of energy carried by radiation.
The process in which matter takes in the energy carried by electromagnetic radiation.
The transfer of energy from electromagnetic radiation to an atom or nucleus.
The transfer of energy from electromagnetic radiation to an atom.
Specification P5.1g, P5.2b, P5.2g, P5.2i, P5.3a, P5.3e, P6.1i, P8.3h, P8.3i, PAG P8 · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
The transfer of energy from a wave to a material, reducing the energy carried onwards by the wave.
Revise: Wave interactions at interfaceThe proportions depend on the materials and the surface; absorption does not mean that energy has disappeared.
The taking in of energy from electromagnetic radiation by a material.
A process in which the energy carried by an electromagnetic wave is taken in by matter.
The transfer of energy from a wave to a material as the wave passes through it.
The transfer of energy from electromagnetic radiation to a substance as the radiation passes into it.
The taking in of light energy by a material rather than allowing that light to pass through or be reflected.
The transfer of energy from electromagnetic radiation to an atom, nucleus or molecule.
The taking in of electromagnetic radiation by a body, transferring energy to it.
The transfer of energy from a wave to the material it travels through, making the wave weaker.
The transfer of energy from a wave to the material it encounters.
Paper 1, Paper 2
The transfer of electromagnetic radiation's energy to a material so that the radiation ceases to exist as radiation.
Revise: Properties of the Electromagnetic SpectrumAbsorption transfers energy to the surface and warms it. In a microwave oven, the oven produces microwaves and the food absorbs some of their energy, causing heating. In each case, the radiation crosses the gap between source and absorber rather than carrying matter from one to the other.
The transfer of energy from electromagnetic radiation to matter, so the radiation ceases to exist as radiation.
The transfer of energy from a wave to the material through which it is travelling, reducing the energy carried by the wave.
A reduction in a wave's energy as it travels through a material, weakening the wave that continues.
Do not treat absorption, transmission, reflection and refraction as mutually exclusive: a substance can produce several of these effects at once.
Do not confuse absorption, in which the material takes in wave energy, with transmission, in which the wave passes through.
Keep the direction of energy transfer clear: absorption moves a system to a higher energy level; emission occurs when it moves to a lower energy level.
Create a free account to read GCSE Physics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.