Which phenomenon leads to a decrease in light intensity as it passes through a material?

The correct choice involves absorption, which is a phenomenon where light energy is taken in by a material rather than being transmitted or reflected. When light passes through a medium, certain wavelengths of light can be absorbed by the atoms or molecules within that material. This results in a decrease in the intensity of light as it interacts with the substance.

For example, if you shine a light through colored glass, the intensity of certain wavelengths will decrease significantly because those wavelengths are absorbed by the pigments in the glass. This process is essential in understanding how various materials interact with light, especially when considering applications such as eyeglasses or lenses, where different materials can filter out or transmit specific wavelengths.

In contrast, refraction involves the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another; it doesn’t reduce intensity, though it can change the light’s path. Diffraction relates to the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings, which can even create patterns of light and dark but doesn't inherently decrease intensity like absorption does. Reflection is the bouncing back of light from a surface; while some light is reflected, it doesn't account for the decrease in intensity due to passage through a material. Thus, absorption is the primary process that directly leads to a reduction in light intensity as