The transfer of energy from electromagnetic radiation to matter. Reflection redirects the incident electromagnetic radiation, and transmission lets it pass through; absorption transfers some of its energy to the material instead.
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Absorption in the context of electromagnetic radiation refers to the process by which a material takes in energy from electromagnetic waves, transforming the energy into other forms, such as heat. This interaction occurs when the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation matches the vibrational, rotational, or electronic energy levels of the material's atoms or molecules, allowing the material to absorb photons of that specific energy.