Describe how electromagnetic waves can be absorbed by matter.

Absorption happens when electromagnetic radiation transfers energy to matter instead of passing through or bouncing away. Infrared absorbed by skin can warm tissue, ultraviolet absorbed by cells can cause damage, and microwaves absorbed by water molecules can heat food. The explanation should name the wave type, the material and the energy transfer. This is distinct from reflection, refraction and transmission because the wave energy is taken into the material rather than redirected or passed onward. Within the subtopic Properties of electromagnetic waves in Electromagnetic waves, the explanation is anchored to electromagnetic wave and uses those terms in the approved AQA GCSE Physics Waves context.