Absorptionssignaturen

Absorptionssignaturen, also known as absorption spectra, are unique patterns of light absorption that occur when light passes through a substance. Each element or molecule has a distinct set of wavelengths of light that it absorbs, due to the specific energy levels of its electrons. When white light, which contains all visible wavelengths, interacts with a substance, certain wavelengths are absorbed, and the remaining wavelengths are transmitted or reflected. The transmitted or reflected light will then show dark lines or gaps at the wavelengths that were absorbed, forming the absorption signature.

These signatures are powerful tools in various scientific fields. In astronomy, analyzing the absorption spectra of stars and galaxies allows scientists to determine their chemical composition, temperature, and even their motion. For example, the presence of specific absorption lines can indicate the presence of hydrogen, helium, or heavier elements in a star's atmosphere. In chemistry, absorption spectroscopy is used to identify unknown compounds, monitor chemical reactions, and determine the concentration of substances in a sample. Each molecule possesses a unique vibrational and rotational energy ladder, leading to characteristic absorption patterns in infrared or microwave regions. The study of these signatures is fundamental to understanding the physical and chemical properties of matter.