Definition

This term refers to the ability of a surface to take in radiation, expressed as the ratio of the amount of radiation absorbed to the total amount that hits the surface.

Example

The absorptivity of the material determines how much heat it can absorb from sunlight.

Conversation

Did you know that the absorptivity of a material affects how it heats up in the sun?

Really? I never thought about that before!

Yeah, it’s interesting how some surfaces absorb more heat than others based on their absorptivity.

That makes sense! I guess that’s why dark colors feel hotter.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Absorptivity is formed from "absorb" (from Latin "absorbere", meaning to suck in or swallow) and the suffix "-ivity" (from Latin "-ivitas", meaning the quality of). The word refers to the quality of being able to absorb or take in substances, particularly in the context of physics and materials science.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sucking in' ('absorb') and the 'quality of' ('-ivity') to remember that absorptivity refers to the ability of a material to take in energy or substances.

Visually Confused Words