The distance that a beam of visible light can travel before being absorbed by something depends on various factors, including the properties of the medium through which it travels and the specific wavelength of the light. In a perfect vacuum, light can travel extremely long distances without being absorbed.
In the atmosphere, visible light can travel significant distances before being absorbed. However, certain gases and particles in the atmosphere can scatter or absorb light to varying degrees, which can limit the distance light can travel. For example, water vapor, dust particles, and pollutants can scatter and absorb light, reducing its effective range.
In optical fibers, which are designed to transmit light signals over long distances, the light can travel for many kilometers before experiencing significant absorption. The structure of the fiber helps to minimize losses and maintain the integrity of the light signal.
In general, different materials have different absorption properties for visible light. Some materials, such as metals, are highly reflective and absorb only a small fraction of visible light. Others, like certain dyes or pigments, are specifically designed to absorb light at certain wavelengths.
Therefore, it is difficult to provide a specific distance at which visible light will be absorbed since it depends on the environment and the materials it encounters. However, in practical scenarios, visible light can often travel long distances before experiencing significant absorption or attenuation.