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Glite Dictionary
coefficient of absorption

coefficient of absorption

9.5
A number that shows how much light or other radiation a material takes in when it passes through it
  • noun
  • /koʊˈɛfɪʃənt əv əbˈzɔrpʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : coeficiente de absorción
  • Glass has a low coefficient of absorption for visible light but a higher one for ultraviolet radiation.

Examples

  • The coefficient of absorption for each material determines how much light is lost as it passes through.

  • Researchers measured the coefficient of absorption to optimize the protective material's effectiveness.

  • The coefficient of absorption is crucial in material science.

  • Researchers measured the coefficient of absorption for various materials.

  • The coefficient of absorption indicates how effectively a substance can absorb electromagnetic radiation.

  • Engineers use the coefficient of absorption to evaluate the performance of new materials in photonics.

  • A higher coefficient of absorption means that more light will be absorbed by the material instead of passing through.

Synonyms

absorption coefficient
vscoefficient of absorption
  • Specialized
7.9

A number that shows how much light energy a material takes in as it passes through

has identical meaning but differs only in word order of the name
absorption factor
vscoefficient of absorption
  • Specialized
7.4

A number that shows how much incoming light or sound a material absorbs

limits meaning to electromagnetic radiation absorbed per unit mass or thickness

Surface Forms

coefficient of absorption singular
coefficients of absorption plural

Morphology

coefficient + of + absorption

The phrase is a straightforward compositional technical noun: 'coefficient' (a numerical constant) + 'of' (marker of relationship) + 'absorption' (the process of taking up energy) yields the meaning 'a number measuring how much absorption occurs.' This relation is cross-linguistically common and a B1 learner who knows the constituents would infer the general meaning even if they do not know precise scientific units or formal definitions.

Etymology

Coefficient of absorption is a simple picture: coefficient is the number and absorption is the 'soaking up' of light or other radiation. Imagine sunlight hitting a sponge — the number shows how much a material 'soaks up' the light as it passes through, so the phrase means the measured amount of radiation a material 'absorbs'.