absorptance

[ ab-sawrp-tuhns, -zawrp- ]

noun

, Physics, Optics.

1. the ratio of the amount of radiation absorbed by a surface to the amount of radiation incident upon it.

absorptance

/ -ˈzɔːp-; əbˈsɔːptəns /

noun

1. physics a measure of the ability of an object to absorb radiation, equal to the ratio of the absorbed radiant flux to the incident flux. For a layer of material the ratio of the flux absorbed between the entry and exit surfaces of the layer to the flux leaving the entry surface is the internal absorptance α Compare reflectance transmittance

Word History and Origins

Origin of absorptance¹

1930–35; translation of German Absorptionsvermögen. See absorption, -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of absorptance¹

C20: absorption + -ance