absorption

Absorption is a physical and chemical process in which one substance becomes incorporated into another material, resulting in the uptake of molecules, particles, or energy. This process often involves the transfer of substances from a gaseous or liquid phase into a solid or liquid medium, or the assimilation of energy such as light or heat into a material.

In biology, absorption commonly refers to the uptake of nutrients by organisms. For example, in the human digestive system, nutrients from food are absorbed primarily in the small intestine, where they pass through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream for distribution throughout the body. Similarly, plant roots absorb water and mineral ions from the soil through specialized tissues.

In physics and chemistry, absorption occurs when a material captures electromagnetic radiation, such as light, heat, or sound. Materials like pigments or dyes absorb specific wavelengths of light, which can result in coloration or heating. For instance, dark-colored surfaces tend to absorb more light and heat compared to lighter ones.

The efficiency of absorption depends on factors such as the properties of the absorbing material, the nature of the substance being absorbed, and environmental conditions. The process can be described by laws such as Beer-Lambert law in optics, which relates the absorption of light to the properties of the material and the path length.

Absorption plays a key role in various scientific and industrial applications, including filtration, chemical processing, environmental remediation, and energy harvesting. Understanding the mechanisms and factors influencing absorption helps optimize these processes across different fields.