What is Molecular Spectroscopy & How is it Useful in Chemistry?

            Based on my knowledge molecular spectroscopy is “a fingerprint” of an element.  Each periodic element will have a individualized peak which represents the element, similar to that of a human finger print.  Molecular spectroscopy can be useful in chemistry to determine the elements in a mixture.  

After having completed the coursework of CHEM 507 my understanding of what spectroscopy has expanded to the following definition.  Spectroscopy is the investigation/study of the emission, absorption, or scattering of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with molecules and atoms and explanation of the spectral patterns observed.  Having a better understanding of how the following are used in the identification of compounds has also increased my knowledge having taken this course and I was better able to incorporate the explanation into my teachings.

IR Spectroscopy deals with the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum which is 10^-3 – 10^-6-m.  Infrared spectroscopy deals with various techniques, where absorption spectroscopy is the most common.  Mass spectrometry, is an analytical technique that used in identifying unknown compounds.  The detection of the compounds can occur with an extremely small sample of the unknown compound.  Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is another analytical technique which uses the magnetic properties of the nuclei and measures the radio frequency absorptions.  UV-Vis spectroscopy is the measurement of the wavelength and intensity of absorption of near ultraviolet and visible light by a sample.  UV-vis is useful for quantitative measurements. 

 Studying the following topics in depth in class lectures, labs and independently has also expanded my understanding of spectroscopy.