What is Spectroscopy and what are the types of spectroscopy?

Figure: Electromagnetic spectrum (Source: PASCO.com)

One of the key features of spectroscopy is that it provides a unique and powerful way of investigating matter. By shining light on a sample, we can learn about its chemical composition, structure, and physical properties. Different materials absorb, reflect, and scatter light in specific ways, allowing scientists to use spectroscopy to identify and quantify the different components in a mixture, as well as study the structure of molecules and the arrangement of atoms in a material.

There are several different types of spectroscopy, each of which is based on a specific region of the electromagnetic spectrum. One of the most well-known types is visible light spectroscopy, which is used in many fields, from materials science to astronomy. In this type of spectroscopy, light of different colors is shone on a sample, and the way in which the sample interacts with the light is measured. This information can then be used to identify the different components of the sample, as well as their concentration

There are many types of spectroscopy, including:

Atomic spectroscopy: used to identify elements in a sample based on the unique wavelengths of light they emit or absorb when excited.

Molecular spectroscopy: used to study the interaction of light with molecules and determine the structure and properties of molecules.

Infrared spectroscopy: used to study the vibrational modes of molecules and determine functional groups.

Raman spectroscopy: used to study the vibrational, rotational, and other low-frequency modes of a sample.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy: used to study the structure of molecules and measure the properties of atoms in a magnetic field.

Mass spectrometry: used to identify and quantify the elements and molecules present in a sample.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS): used to identify the elements present in a sample, measure their elemental and chemical states, and determine the chemical bonds between atoms in the sample.

X-ray fluorescence: used to identify and quantify the elements present in a sample by measuring the emitted fluorescence of X-rays.

Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy: used to study the absorption of light in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Fluorescence spectroscopy: used to study the emission of light by a sample when excited by light or other electromagnetic radiation.