What process occurs when a light wave matches the molecular structure of a material and transforms light energy into heat?

The process that occurs when a light wave matches the molecular structure of a material, resulting in the transformation of light energy into heat, is known as absorption. During absorption, the light energy is taken in by the material, which causes the molecules to vibrate more vigorously. This increase in molecular movement raises the temperature of the material, effectively converting the energy from the light wave into thermal energy or heat.

Refraction involves the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed, and it does not convert light into heat. Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface rather than being absorbed, and transmission refers to the passage of light through a material without being absorbed. Neither of these processes involve the transformation of light energy into heat like absorption does.