Which process converts energy from light or sound into heat within a material?

Prepare for your IB Marine Science SL Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

Multiple Choice

Which process converts energy from light or sound into heat within a material?

Explanation:
Absorption is the process where energy from light or sound is taken in by a material and converted into heat. When light hits a material, some of it is reflected or transmitted, but the portion that’s absorbed raises the internal energy of the material, increasing its temperature. Similarly, sound energy that penetrates a material is dissipated through friction and molecular interactions, transforming the sound energy into heat. That’s why absorption directly explains how energy from those forms becomes heat inside the material. The other options don’t describe energy conversion: aphotic zone is just a light-level term in the ocean, adhesion is sticking due to intermolecular forces, and stratigraphy is the study of rock layers.

Absorption is the process where energy from light or sound is taken in by a material and converted into heat. When light hits a material, some of it is reflected or transmitted, but the portion that’s absorbed raises the internal energy of the material, increasing its temperature. Similarly, sound energy that penetrates a material is dissipated through friction and molecular interactions, transforming the sound energy into heat. That’s why absorption directly explains how energy from those forms becomes heat inside the material. The other options don’t describe energy conversion: aphotic zone is just a light-level term in the ocean, adhesion is sticking due to intermolecular forces, and stratigraphy is the study of rock layers.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy