What is the Difference Between Absorptance and Absorbance?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Absorptance and absorbance are related but distinct measurements of how much light a material absorbs. The main differences between them are:
- Definition: Absorptance is the ratio of the light absorbed to the total incident light, while absorbance is a logarithmic measure of the amount of light absorbed.
- Quantity: Absorptance is a measurement of the flux that has been absorbed, while absorbance is a measurement of flux that has passed through.
- Relationship with Concentration: Absorbance varies linearly with the concentration, but absorptance varies nonlinearly.
In summary, absorptance and absorbance are different ways to measure the light-absorbing properties of a material. Absorptance is a ratio of absorbed light to incident light, while absorbance is a logarithmic measure of absorption. Both quantities are used in various applications, such as chemical analysis, spectrometry, and spectrophotometry, to study the interaction of light with matter.
Comparative Table: Absorptance vs Absorbance
The main difference between absorptance and absorbance lies in their definitions and applications. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between the two:
Parameter | Absorption | Adsorption |
---|---|---|
Definition | The process in which a fluid is dissolved by a liquid or a solid (absorbent). | The process in which atoms, ions, or molecules from a substance adhere to a surface of the adsorbent. |
Occurrence | Passive (diffusion) or active (facilitated diffusion or active transport) | Surface-based process, creates a film of adsorbate on the surface of the adsorbent. |
Mass Transfer | Involves mass transfer into another material. | Involves the adhesion of particles onto a substance. |
Examples | - A paper towel absorbing water - Oxygen from air dissolving into water |
- A sponge in water becoming saturated - Air-conditioning systems using adsorption. |
In summary, absorption is the process where a substance is dissolved in a liquid or gas, while adsorption is the process where atoms, ions, or molecules from a substance adhere to a surface of the adsorbent.
- Absorbance vs Transmittance
- Absorption vs Adsorption
- Absorbance vs Fluorescence
- Optical Density vs Absorbance
- Absorptivity vs Molar Absorptivity
- Molar Absorptivity vs Specific Absorbance
- Absorption vs Assimilation
- Emission vs Absorption Spectra
- Absorption Spectrum vs Emission Spectrum
- Excitation vs Absorption
- Action Spectrum vs Absorption Spectrum
- Digestion vs Absorption
- Calibration Curve Absorbance vs Concentration
- Atomic Absorption vs Atomic Emission
- Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy vs UV Visible Spectroscopy
- Absorption vs Stripping
- Flame Emission Spectroscopy vs Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
- Neutron Capture vs Absorption
- Chemisorption vs Physisorption