Question #3a132
1 Answer
Quantum theory and spectroscopy deals with the interaction of light with matter/elements/molecules/etc. In Quantum theory, it states that light is quantized as photons. Now, the chemistry part is quite tricky. Different elements require different amount of energy to have an electronic transition. The amount of energy for a specific element to perform an electronic transition is usually specific for that element. So, in spectroscopy, it takes advantage of this.
Note that light has a wave property. But the intensity is inversely proportional to the wavelength. So increasing the wavelength of light decreases the intensity, vice versa. UV, gamma, X-ray, infrared are just different intensities of light. Now in spectroscopy, it uses this different light intensities and when this "specific wavelength" is detected to cause this electronic transition specific to that element, it is used to identify that element.
Did I explain it simple enough or do you need more details?
