diff --git a/optika/chemicals/_chemicals.py b/optika/chemicals/_chemicals.py
index 224fff0..b83c52f 100644
--- a/optika/chemicals/_chemicals.py
+++ b/optika/chemicals/_chemicals.py
@@ -160,6 +160,21 @@ def wavenumber(
         """
         return np.imag(self.n(wavelength))
 
+    def absorption(
+        self,
+        wavelength: u.Quantity | na.AbstractScalar,
+    ):
+        """
+        The absorption coefficient of this chemical for the given wavelength.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        wavelength
+            The wavelength of light in vacuum for which to compute the
+            absorption coefficient.
+        """
+        return 4 * np.pi * self.wavenumber(wavelength) / wavelength
+
 
 @dataclasses.dataclass(eq=False, repr=False)
 class Chemical(
diff --git a/optika/chemicals/_tests/test_chemicals.py b/optika/chemicals/_tests/test_chemicals.py
index 22ecd04..8793c51 100644
--- a/optika/chemicals/_tests/test_chemicals.py
+++ b/optika/chemicals/_tests/test_chemicals.py
@@ -60,6 +60,16 @@ def test_wavenumber(
         assert isinstance(result, na.AbstractScalar)
         assert np.all(result >= 0)
 
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("wavelength", _wavelength)
+    def test_absorption(
+        self,
+        a: optika.chemicals.AbstractChemical,
+        wavelength: u.Quantity | na.AbstractScalar,
+    ):
+        result = a.absorption(wavelength)
+        assert isinstance(result, na.AbstractScalar)
+        assert np.all(result >= 0)
+
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     argnames="a",
diff --git a/optika/sensors/_materials/_materials.py b/optika/sensors/_materials/_materials.py
index 785b94c..869916d 100644
--- a/optika/sensors/_materials/_materials.py
+++ b/optika/sensors/_materials/_materials.py
@@ -420,9 +420,7 @@ def attenuation(
         self,
         rays: optika.rays.AbstractRayVectorArray,
     ) -> na.ScalarLike:
-        result = self._chemical.wavenumber(rays.wavelength)
-        result = 4 * np.pi * result / rays.wavelength
-        return result
+        return self._chemical.absorption(rays.wavelength)
 
     @property
     def is_mirror(self) -> bool: