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When a photon of light enters a material and does not exit, it is an indication that the photon has been absorbed by the material. This process occurs when the energy of the photon is taken up by the atoms or molecules of the material, typically causing them to vibrate or move to a higher energy state.
Absorption is a key principle in optics and materials science, as it determines how different materials interact with light. For example, materials that absorb light will appear colored because they reflect and transmit certain wavelengths while absorbing others. This characteristic is fundamental in applications like sunglasses, colored glass, and various optical filters, where specific wavelengths are absorbed to achieve the desired visual effect.
In contrast, reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface, refraction involves the bending of light as it passes from one material to another, and scattering refers to the redirection of light in various directions after interacting with particles or irregularities in a medium. These processes involve different interactions with light energy and do not result in the photon remaining trapped within the material.