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Mattofix
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Homework Statement
Why is the mass absorption coefficient used rather than the linear absorption coefficient?
Homework Equations
mac=lac/density
The Attempt at a Solution
is it because mac is independent of physical from?
The mass absorption coefficient is used in scientific measurements because it takes into account the density of the material being measured. This is important because different materials have different densities, which can affect how much light or radiation is absorbed. By using the mass absorption coefficient, scientists can accurately compare measurements between different materials.
The linear absorption coefficient only takes into account the thickness of the material, while the mass absorption coefficient also considers the density. This means that the mass absorption coefficient provides a more accurate measurement of how much light or radiation is absorbed by a material.
The mass absorption coefficient is typically measured in units of cm^2/g. This represents the area of the material (cm^2) divided by its mass (g), and gives a measure of how much light or radiation is absorbed per unit of mass.
Yes, the mass absorption coefficient can be used for all types of radiation, including visible light, infrared, ultraviolet, and X-rays. However, the specific values for the mass absorption coefficient may vary depending on the type of radiation being measured.
The mass absorption coefficient is determined through experimental measurements and calculations. Scientists measure the amount of light or radiation that passes through a material of known thickness and density, and then use mathematical formulas to calculate the mass absorption coefficient. This process may need to be repeated multiple times with different materials to establish accurate and reliable values for the mass absorption coefficient.