absorption spectrum
the specific pattern of absorption for a substance that absorbs electromagnetic radiation
An absorption spectrum is a graphical representation of the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that are absorbed by a particular substance. It is essentially the opposite of an emission spectrum, which shows the wavelengths of radiation that a substance emits.
When electromagnetic radiation passes through a substance, certain wavelengths may be absorbed by its atoms or molecules, causing them to become excited. These absorbed wavelengths are then missing from the transmitted radiation, resulting in dark lines or bands in the absorption spectrum.
The precise pattern of absorption lines or bands in a substance’s absorption spectrum is unique and can be used to identify the substance, as well as other properties like its temperature, pressure, and density. In some cases, absorption spectra can also provide information about the arrangement of atoms or molecules in a substance.
Absorption spectra are commonly used in fields like astronomy, chemistry, and biology to study the properties of materials and substances. They are also used in spectrophotometry, a technique for measuring the concentration of a substance in a solution based on its ability to absorb specific wavelengths of light.
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