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- In science, the taking up of one substance by
- another, such as a liquid by a solid (ink by
- blotting-paper) or a gas by a liquid (ammonia
- by water). In biology, absorption describes
- the passing of nutrients or medication into
- and through tissues such as intestinal walls
- and blood vessels. In physics, absorption is
- the phenomenon by which a substance retains
- radiation of particular wavelengths; for
- example, a piece of blue glass absorbs all
- visible light except the wavelengths in the
- blue part of the spectrum; it also refers to
- the partial loss of energy resulting from
- light and other electromagnetic waves'
- passing through a medium. In nuclear physics,
- absorption is the capture by elements, such
- as boron, of neutrons produced by fission in
- a reactor.
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- Subject by: Russell Webb
-