Which of the following best describes absorption in terms of wave interaction?

Absorption refers to the process where the energy of a wave is taken up by the medium through which it is traveling. When a wave encounters a material, some of its energy may be transferred to the particles of the medium, causing them to vibrate or move. This transfer of energy results in a decrease in the amplitude of the wave, meaning that less energy is available to propagate through the medium.

This phenomenon is particularly significant in various contexts, such as sound waves in air or light waves in different materials. For example, when sound travels through a wall, some of its energy is absorbed by the wall, which is why sound is quieter on the other side. In terms of light, absorption occurs when light hits a surface and is transformed into heat, rather than being reflected or transmitted.

Understanding absorption is crucial in fields like acoustics and optics, as it plays a key role in determining how waves interact with different materials and how effectively they can transmit energy.