absorptíon

Absorption is a physical or chemical process where one substance is taken into the bulk of another. This differs from adsorption, which is a surface phenomenon. In a physical context, absorption often refers to the uptake of a liquid by a solid, such as a sponge absorbing water. In chemistry, it can describe the dissolution of a gas into a liquid, or the process by which a substance permeates into another. For instance, carbon dioxide is absorbed by oceans.

The rate of absorption can depend on several factors, including the concentration of the absorbing substance, the surface area of the absorbent, temperature, and pressure. The capacity of a material to absorb is also a key property. Some materials are designed to be highly absorbent, making them useful in applications like cleaning, packaging, or medical dressings.

In biology, absorption is a fundamental process for living organisms. For example, the small intestine of animals absorbs nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream. Plants absorb water and minerals from the soil through their roots. Light absorption is also a crucial biological process, powering photosynthesis in plants.

The concept of absorption is also used in fields like acoustics, where materials are designed to absorb sound waves to reduce noise. In electromagnetism, absorption describes the process by which electromagnetic radiation is taken up by matter, often converting its energy into heat. This phenomenon is central to understanding how objects interact with light and other forms of radiation.