theory of spectroscopy
What is spectroscopy?
Spectroscopy is the study of how electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter. Electromagnetic radiation includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet (UV), visible (vis) and infrared light, as well as longer wavelength microwaves, television waves, and radio waves (see Figure 1).
Figure 1
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Spectrophotometers produce a source of electromagnetic radiation (light) that shines on a chemical sample. When the light interacts with the chemical sample, it produces changes in the sample. These changes in the chemical are recorded as a spectra. The spectra created by a spectrophotometer thus gives chemists information such as the chemical makeup of a particular sample.
