B.

Tech
Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy is the study of interaction between electromagnetic radiation

and matter as a function of wave length (λ) or the wave number ( ) or
frequency ().

The different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are summarized in

the table given below.

λ (approx.
Regions of Changes in
Frequency (Hz) wave length
EMR atoms/molecules
range)
Y – rays 3 x 1020 – 3 x 10–4 nm Nuclear configuration

1021
X – rays 3 x 1016 – 3 x 10–4 nm Core electron distribution

1018
Ultraviolet 3 x 1014 – 3 x 200 – 400 nm Valence shell electron

1016 distribution
Visible 1015 400 – 800 nm Valence shell electron
distribution
Infrared 3 x 1012 – 3 x 0.8 – 600 µm Molecular configuration

1014
Micro wave 3 x 1010 – 3 x 6 x 10–4 – 0.3 Rotational characteristics

1012 m
Radio 3 x 104 – 3 x 1010 0.3 – 3 x 103 Presence of external
frequency m magnetic field

EMR – Electromagnetic radiation

General Principle of Spectroscopy:

All chemical compounds interact with electromagnetic radiation, i.e., they

absorb light energy. When a molecule absorbs radiation energy,
transformation in the molecule occurs that may be either temporary or
permanent. Lower energy radiation may cause a molecular rotation or a
bond vibration. Higher energy radiation may cause the promotion of
electrons to higher energy levels or the bond cleavage.

Whether the transformation involves molecular rotation, bond vibration, or

electronic transition or the cleavage, the molecule absorbs only the
wavelength of radiation with exactly the energy necessary for that
transformation. The absorption of wavelengths of radiation is selective for a
particular transition. This depends on the structure of the molecule. By
studying the absorption spectra of known compounds we can correlate the
wave lengths of the radiation absorbed with characteristic structural features
in the molecule. This information is then used to determine the structure of
unknown compounds.

Spectrophotometer

The instrument used to measure the amount of electromagnetic radiation

absorbed by a molecule is called spectrophotometer or spectrometer. It
consists of a light source of radiation; a prism that can select the desired
wavelengths; the wavelengths are passed through a sample of the
compound being investigated. The radiation that is absorbed by the sample
can be detected, analyzed and recorded. The recording is called the
spectrum of the compound.

Fig: Spectrophotometer

Spectrum

Spectrum is the impression produced on a photographic film, when the

radiation of a particular wavelength is analyzed. It is broadly divided into
two types.

There are mainly 3 types of absorption spectroscopy based on the range of

radiation absorbed.