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Spectroscopy is a technique used to study the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. This interaction can include absorption, emission, or scattering of light (or other electromagnetic radiation) by atoms, molecules, or larger particles. Scientists use spectroscopy to determine a wide range of properties of materials, including their chemical composition, structure, and physical state.
When electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter, it can do so in various ways depending on the energy of the photons and the nature of the matter. For instance, in absorption spectroscopy, substances absorb specific wavelengths of light, which typically leads to an electronic transition within the atoms or molecules. By analyzing the wavelengths that are absorbed, scientists can deduce information about the material's composition. Meanwhile, in emission spectroscopy, excited atoms or molecules release energy in the form of light when they return to a lower energy state. This emitted light is analyzed to gain insights similar to those obtained from absorption spectra.
There are many types of spectroscopy, with some of the more commonly known ones including infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy. Each type of spectroscopy is sensitive to different aspects of the matter and hence provides different information about the substance being studied