Which term describes when waves go into a material and stay there?

Which term describes when waves go into a material and stay there?

• A. Reflection
• B. Transmission
• C. Refraction
• D. Absorption

Answer: (D)

Absorption is when the energy of a wave is taken up by the material instead of bouncing off or passing through. As the wave enters, the material converts that energy into other forms, often heat, so the wave is damped and doesn’t emerge on the far side. For light, absorbing most wavelengths makes a material look dark or warm to the touch; for sound, absorbing energy reduces echoes. By contrast, reflection sends energy back, transmission passes energy through, and refraction changes the wave’s direction while it continues moving into the new medium.

Absorption is when the energy of a wave is taken up by the material instead of bouncing off or passing through. As the wave enters, the material converts that energy into other forms, often heat, so the wave is damped and doesn’t emerge on the far side. For light, absorbing most wavelengths makes a material look dark or warm to the touch; for sound, absorbing energy reduces echoes. By contrast, reflection sends energy back, transmission passes energy through, and refraction changes the wave’s direction while it continues moving into the new medium.