The spelling of "absorption spectrum" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced /əbˈsɔrpʃən/ with a schwa sound in the first vowel and a stress on the second syllable. The second syllable "spectrum" is pronounced /ˈspɛk.trəm/ with a stress on the first syllable and a schwa sound in the second vowel. Together, the word describes the range of wavelengths of light absorbed by a substance, which can be analyzed using spectroscopy techniques.
An absorption spectrum refers to a graphical representation or measurement of the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that are absorbed by a particular substance or system. When white light passes through or interacts with a sample, certain specific wavelengths are absorbed by the atoms, molecules, or ions of that substance, resulting in the creation of dark or colored lines in the spectrum. These lines indicate the precise energies at which the sample can absorb light.
This phenomenon occurs due to the interaction of photons with the electrons in the sample. When photons of specific energies strike the electrons, the electrons absorb the energy and move to higher energy levels or orbitals. Consequently, these specific energy levels correspond to certain colors or wavelengths. As a result, the absorption spectrum is formed by analyzing the wavelengths of the absorbed light.
Absorption spectra are commonly used in various fields, including chemistry, physics, astronomy, and biology. In chemistry, they are particularly useful for identifying and characterizing substances. Different substances exhibit unique and characteristic absorption spectra due to their molecular structures. By analyzing the absorption spectrum of a sample, scientists can determine its composition, concentration, or other properties.
Overall, the absorption spectrum is a crucial tool for scientists to study the interaction of light with matter, obtain information about the composition of substances, and explore various aspects of physics and chemistry.
• A spectrum showing a. bands or lines.
• One produced by light which has passed through vapors of various substances, the single colored band which each of these substances, if viewed alone through the spectroscope, would give being absorbed by the corresponding color of the sun's light, appearing there as a black line (Fraunhofer's lines).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "absorption" originates from the Latin word "absorptio", which means "sucking in" or "swallowing up". "Spectrum" comes from the Latin word "spectrum", which means "appearance" or "specter". Thus, the term "absorption spectrum" refers to the appearance or range of colors that are absorbed by a substance. It is commonly used in the field of physics and chemistry to describe the pattern of wavelengths of light that are absorbed by atoms, molecules, or materials.