Neeldumiskõvera

Neeldumiskõvera, also known as an absorption curve, is a graphical representation of how much of a particular substance absorbs electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths. It plots the absorbance of a sample against the corresponding wavelength of light. Typically, the y-axis represents absorbance, a unitless quantity that indicates the amount of light absorbed by the sample, and the x-axis represents wavelength, usually measured in nanometers (nm).

These curves are fundamental in various scientific fields, particularly in spectroscopy. When light passes through a sample, certain wavelengths are absorbed by the molecules present. The resulting spectrum, or neeldumiskõvera, reveals which wavelengths are absorbed and to what extent. The peak(s) on the curve correspond to the wavelengths where the substance has the strongest absorption.

The shape and position of a neeldumiskõvera are characteristic of the specific substance being analyzed. Different molecules have unique electronic structures, which dictate their absorption patterns. By comparing an unknown sample's neeldumiskõvera to known reference spectra, scientists can identify the substance. Furthermore, the height of the absorbance peaks can be used to determine the concentration of the substance in the sample, often following Beer-Lambert's Law.

Neeldumiskõverad are generated using instruments like spectrophotometers. These instruments measure the intensity of light before and after it passes through a sample across a range of wavelengths. Applications are widespread, including chemical analysis, quality control in manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and biological research, such as in DNA and protein quantification.