Each type of atom or molecule absorbs particular colours.

ECONOMIST: Transits of Venus

Dr Lackner's version uses layers of Teflon or paper covered with a resin that absorbs carbon dioxide when dry and gives it up when moist.

ECONOMIST: Combating climate change

When sea ice melts, the newly exposed dark water absorbs radiation rather than reflecting it, as snow or ice would.

ECONOMIST: A meltdown tinged with acid

Learning-style theory proposes that each of us absorbs and processes information in one of several distinct ways: visual, auditory, tactile or kinesthetic, for example.

FORBES: I Feel Your Pain

Growing such crops as switchgrass not only absorbs carbon, but also produces a fuel that some power plants can use instead of oil, coal or gas.

ECONOMIST: The rise of the sink | The