What does absorb light mean

Wherever absorption occurs, heat energy is generated. As already noted, absorption depends upon the state of an objects electrons. All electrons are known to vibrate at specific frequencies, what is commonly known as their natural frequency.

When light, in the form of photons, interacts with an atom with the same natural frequency, the electrons of that atom will become excited and set into a natural vibrational motion.

During this vibration, the electrons of the atom interact with neighboring atoms in such a way as to convert this vibrational energy into thermal energy. Subsequently, the light energy is not to be seen again, hence why absorption is differentiated from reflection and transmission. And since different atoms and molecules have different natural frequencies of vibration, they will selectively absorb different frequencies of visible light. By relying on this method, physicists are able to determine the properties and material composition of an object by seeing which frequencies of light it is able to absorb.

Whereas some materials are opaque to some wavelengths of light, they transparent to others. Waves can also be transmitted at the boundary between two different materials. When waves are transmitted, they continues through the material.

Air, glass and water are common materials that are very good at transmitting light. They are transparent because light is transmitted with very little absorption. Translucent materials transmit some light but are not completely clear.

Lamp shades, shower curtains and window blinds are often translucent objects. When white light passes through a coloured filter, all colours are absorbed except for the colour of the filter. For example, an orange filter transmits orange light but absorbs all the other colours. If white light is shone on an orange filter, only the orange wavelengths will be observed by the human eye.

Part of the Oxford Instruments Group Expand. Oxford Instruments. Investors Careers. Life Science Cameras. Control Software. Physical Science Cameras. OEM Portfolio. Support Service and Support. Learning Centre Asset. What Happens When Light is Absorbed A Quick Overview of Light Absorption In absorption, the frequency of the incoming light wave is at or near the energy levels of the electrons in the matter.