When an electromagnetic wave travels through a medium in which it get absorbed (this is called an "opaque" or "attenuating" medium), as described by the Beer-Lambert law, there are a wide array of mathematical descriptions of the parameters involved in the propagation and attenuation of the wave. This article describes the mathematical relationships among: Absorption coefficient, Penetration depth and Skin depth, Propagation constant, attenuation constant, phase constant, and complex wavenumber, Complex refractive index and extinction coefficient, Complex dielectric constant, AC conductivity. Note that in many of these cases there are multiple, conflicting definitions and conventions in common use. This article is not necessarily comprehensive or universal in that respect.