absorciometría

Absorciometría is a scientific technique used to measure the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by a sample. This method is employed across various fields, including chemistry, physics, and medicine, to identify and quantify substances based on their unique absorption patterns. The fundamental principle behind absorciometría relies on the fact that different molecules interact with specific wavelengths of light or other forms of radiation in distinct ways. When radiation passes through a sample, certain wavelengths are absorbed by the material, while others are transmitted.

The amount of radiation absorbed is directly proportional to the concentration of the substance present, a relationship famously described by the Beer-Lambert Law. This law states that absorbance is equal to the molar absorptivity constant multiplied by the path length of the light through the sample and the concentration of the substance. Absorbance itself is calculated as the logarithm of the ratio of incident light intensity to transmitted light intensity.

Various types of absorciometría exist, each utilizing different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Spectrophotometry, a common form, uses ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared (IR) light. Other techniques might employ X-rays or gamma rays. Instrumentation for absorciometría typically includes a radiation source, a wavelength selector (like a monochromator), a sample holder, and a detector that measures the intensity of the transmitted radiation. By analyzing the absorption spectrum – a plot of absorbance versus wavelength – researchers can determine the chemical composition and concentration of a sample. This makes absorciometría a vital tool for analysis and research.