Light-absorbing particles (Q765)

Subject, term, tag: Light-absorbing particles

Language	Label	Description	Also known as
English	Light-absorbing particles	Subject, term, tag: Light-absorbing particles

Statements

Instance of

Category

source version

IPCC Glossary v1.5

1 reference

Source

https://apps.ipcc.ch/glossary/

date accessed

27 May 2026

Part of

Working Group I: Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis

0 references

Definition

Light-absorbing particles (LAP), for example, black carbon (BC), brown carbon and dust, are particles that absorb solar radiation and convert it into internal energy, thus raising the particle’s temperature and emitting thermal-infrared radiation that is selectively absorbed by the surrounding medium. LAP affect the energy balance of the atmosphere and clouds, and when deposited on snow and ice, they reduce snow/ice albedo, increasing heating and accelerating melting. These particles have a warming effect on climate. (English)