What term describes the ability to absorb heat in a material?

The term that describes the ability to absorb heat in a material is "endothermic." When a substance is described as endothermic, it indicates that the substance can absorb heat from its surroundings during a physical or chemical process. This is commonly observed in various chemical reactions and phase changes, such as when ice melts or when a reaction occurs that requires heat input.

In contrast, exothermic refers to processes that release heat. Intumescent deals with materials that expand when exposed to heat or fire, primarily as a fire protection measure. Thermal relates to heat in general but does not specifically address the absorption aspect like endothermic does. Understanding these distinctions is essential for selecting the appropriate materials and processes in various applications, especially in construction and engineering contexts.