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Absorbance

Definition

Absorbance refers to the amount of light absorbed by a substance when it interacts with electromagnetic radiation. It is commonly measured using a spectrophotometer or colorimeter to determine the concentration of a solute in a solution based on the Beer-Lambert Law.

Analogy

Think of absorbance like sunglasses for light - substances can "put on" different shades (absorb different wavelengths) depending on their concentration.

Related terms

Transmittance: The amount of light that passes through a substance without being absorbed or scattered.

Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs in an electromagnetic wave; different colors have different wavelengths.

Spectrophotometer: An instrument used to measure the intensity of light at specific wavelengths, allowing scientists to analyze absorption spectra.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.