Espectroscòpia

Espectroscòpia is a scientific technique used to study the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It involves analyzing the spectrum of light or other radiation emitted or absorbed by a substance. This interaction provides valuable information about the substance's composition, structure, and physical properties.

The fundamental principle behind spectroscopy is that atoms and molecules absorb and emit electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelengths, creating a unique spectral fingerprint for each substance. When radiation passes through a sample, certain wavelengths are absorbed, while others are transmitted. Conversely, when a substance is heated or excited, it emits radiation at characteristic wavelengths. By measuring these absorption or emission patterns, scientists can identify the elements or compounds present and their concentrations.

Different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are utilized in various spectroscopic techniques, including visible light, ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), X-rays, and radio waves. For instance, UV-Vis spectroscopy is commonly used to study electronic transitions in molecules, while IR spectroscopy reveals information about molecular vibrations. Atomic emission spectroscopy is employed to identify elemental composition by analyzing the light emitted by excited atoms.

Spectroscopy has a wide range of applications across numerous scientific disciplines. In chemistry, it is essential for identifying unknown substances, determining molecular structure, and quantifying concentrations. In astronomy, it helps analyze the composition of stars, planets, and galaxies. In physics, it is used to study atomic and nuclear structure. Medicine benefits from spectroscopy in areas like medical imaging and drug analysis. It is also used in fields like environmental monitoring and materials science.