Spectroscopy
What is Spectroscopy?
Spectroscopy is a scientific technique used to study the interaction
between matter and electromagnetic radiation.
• It involves measuring the intensity of radiation as a function of its
wavelength or frequency, which can provide detailed information
about the composition, structure, and properties of substances.
The Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a form of energy that travels
through space as oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
• EMR moves in the form of waves and carries energy across
different frequencies and wavelengths.
• EMR shows Dual Nature – exhibits both wave-like and particle-like
behavior (wave-particle duality).
✓Acts as a wave when it propagates.
✓Acts as a particle (photon) when it interacts with matter.
Electromagnetic Spectrum:
The electromagnetic spectrum consists of different types of EM
waves arranged by frequency and wavelength:
• Our eyes can only operate in the visible region.
What happens when EM radiation interacts with
matter?
• When electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter, it can undergo
various processes depending on the wavelength (energy) of the radiation
and the properties of the material.
• These interactions help us study materials and develop applications like
spectroscopy, imaging, and telecommunications.
• These interactions can lead to changes in characteristics of matter and/or
of the EMR
Change in Characteristics of EMR
Changes in Characteristics of Matter:
• When electromagnetic (EM) radiation interacts with matter, the
matter itself can undergo several changes depending on the type of
radiation and the material's properties.
• These changes primarily involve energy transfer to the material and
can cause electronic, vibrational, rotational, or even nuclear changes
in the material. The following changes can specifically happen to the
matter itself:
Type of Change Description Effect on the Matter Examples
- Electron transitions
When EM radiation
from lower to higher - UV-Vis Spectroscopy
(usually UV-Vis) is
Excitation of orbitals. (electronic transitions)
absorbed, it can elevate
Electrons - Material may become - Fluorescence (emission of light
electrons to higher
excited or undergo after excitation)
energy states.
chemical changes.
- Infrared Spectroscopy
- Vibrational modes of
IR radiation can excite (molecular vibrations)
Vibrational molecules or bonds are
molecular vibrations in - Heating of materials (like in
Excitation excited, causing bond
the material. microwave ovens, where water
stretching or bending.
molecules vibrate).
Microwave radiation - Microwave Spectroscopy
can excite rotational - Rotation of molecules (studying molecular rotations)
Rotational
transitions of molecules or molecular fragments, - Heating of food in microwave
Excitation
with a permanent especially in gases. ovens (molecules rotate and
dipole. absorb energy).
Comparison of Atomic and Molecular Spectra:
Feature Atomic Spectra Molecular Spectra
Transitions between electronic,
Transitions between electronic
Origin vibrational, and rotational energy
energy levels in atoms.
levels in molecules.
Bands (groups of closely spaced
Spectral Lines Discrete lines.
lines).
Microwave, infrared, visible, and
Wavelength Region Ultraviolet, visible, and X-ray.
ultraviolet.
More complex, with many bands and
Complexity Simpler, with fewer lines.
lines.
Hydrogen emission spectrum, Infrared spectrum of CO₂, Raman
Examples
sodium D-lines. spectrum of water.
Applications:
Atomic Spectra: Used in chemical analysis (e.g., atomic absorption
spectroscopy), astronomy (e.g., determining the composition of stars), and
plasma physics.
Molecular Spectra: Used in chemical identification (e.g., infrared
spectroscopy), environmental monitoring (e.g., detecting pollutants), and
medical diagnostics (e.g., Raman spectroscopy).
Atomic and molecular spectra provide valuable information about the
structure and composition of matter, with each type of spectrum offering
unique insights based on the nature of the energy transitions involved.
