spektroskoppia

Spektroskoppia, often spelled spectroscopy, is a scientific technique used to study the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. By analyzing the spectrum of light that is emitted, absorbed, or scattered by a substance, scientists can gain detailed information about its chemical composition, physical properties, and structure. This interaction occurs when electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, or X-rays, encounters atoms or molecules.

Different types of spectroscopy exist, each utilizing a specific range of the electromagnetic spectrum and a particular method of interaction. For example, absorption spectroscopy measures how much light a substance absorbs at different wavelengths, while emission spectroscopy analyzes the light that a substance emits when it is excited. Raman spectroscopy, on the other hand, examines the inelastic scattering of light.

The data obtained from spectroscopic measurements is typically presented as a spectrum, which is a graph plotting intensity against wavelength or frequency. These spectral fingerprints are unique to each substance, allowing for identification and quantification. Spectroscopy finds widespread applications in fields such as astronomy, chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, and environmental science for tasks ranging from identifying distant stars to diagnosing diseases.