Introduction To Spectroscopy: I Spectroscopy and The Electromagnetic Spectrum

INTRODUCTION TO SPECTROSCOPY
I Spectroscopy and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction of matter and electromagnetic
radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation is radiant energy having the properties of both
particles and waves. An electromagnetic spectrum consists of a range of all
different types of electromagnetic radiation—each type associated with a
particular energy range.
The arrangement of all types of electromagnetic radiations in order of
their wavelength or frequencies is known as electromagnetic spectrum.
Visible light is the type of electromagnetic radiation with which we are most
familiar, but it represents only a fraction of the range of the entire
electromagnetic spectrum. X-rays and radio waves are other types of familiar
electromagnetic radiation.
The electromagnetic spectrum is made up of the following components: (High

energy (Frequency) to low energy (Frequency).
• Cosmic rays, which consist of radiation discharged by the sun, have the
highest energy, the highest frequencies, and the shortest wavelengths.
1
• (gamma rays) are emitted from the nuclei of certain radioactive elements and,
because of their high energy, can severely damage biological organisms.
• X-rays, somewhat lower in energy than are less harmful, except in high doses.
Low-dose X-rays are used to examine the internal structure of organisms. The
denser the tissue, the more it blocks X-rays.
• Ultraviolet (UV) light is responsible for sunburns, and repeated exposure can
cause skin cancer by damaging DNA molecules in skin cells.
• Visible light is the electromagnetic radiation we see.
• Infra Red (IR). We feel infrared radiation as heat.
• Micro waves. We cook with microwaves and use them in radar.
• Radio waves have the lowest energy (lowest frequency). We use them for radio
and television communication, digital imaging, remote controls, and wireless
linkages for laptop computers. Radio waves are also used in NMR spectroscopy
and in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
II Both Particle and Wave nature: A particle of electromagnetic radiation
is called a photon. We may think of electromagnetic radiation as photons
traveling at the speed of light. Because electromagnetic radiation has both
particle-like and wave-like properties, it can be characterized by either its
frequency or its wavelength
III Frequency: Frequency is defined as the number of wave crests that pass
by a given point in one second. Frequency has units of hertz (Hz).
IV Wavelength: Wavelength is the distance between two successive crusts or
troughs. Wavelength is generally measured in micrometers or nanometers. One
micrometer is 10-6 of a meter; one nanometer (nm) is 10-9 of a meter.
The frequency of electromagnetic radiation, therefore, is equal to the speed of
light (c) divided by the radiation’s wavelength:
υ(Neu) = C/λ
So wavelength has invers relation with frequency and energy. Short
wavelengths have high frequencies and high energy, and long wavelengths have
low frequencies and low energy.
2
The relationship between the energy (E) of a photon and the frequency (or the
wavelength) of the electromagnetic radiation is described by the equation
E= hυ(neu)=hc/λ
where h is the proportionality constant called Planck’s constant, named after the
German physicist who discovered the relationship.
V Wavenumber is another way to describe the frequency of electromagnetic
radiation, and the one most often used in infrared spectroscopy. It is the
number of waves in one centimeter, so it has units of reciprocal
centimeters. Scientists use wavenumbers in preference to wavelengths because,
unlike wavelengths, wavenumbers are directly proportional to energy. The
relationship between wavenumber and wavelength is given by the equation:
Neu Bar (cm-1) = 1/λ

So high frequencies, large wavenumbers, and short wavelengths are associated
with high energy.
VI Absorption and Emission Spectra
VIA Absorption Spectra:
When electromagnetic radiations are passed through an organic compound,
these induce electronic, vibrational and rotational transitions in the molecule.
The energy required for each of these transitions is quantized.
Thus only the radiation supplying the required quantum (Photon) of energy is
absorbed and the remaining portion of the incident radiation is transmitted. The
wavelength or the frequencies of the absorbed radiations are measured with the
help of spectrophotometer. Generally a spectrometer records an absorption
spectrum as a plot of intensity versus their wave length or frequency. Such
spectra which are obtained by absorption of electromagnetic radiations are called
as absorption spectra. UV, Visible, IR and NMR all are examples of absorption
spectra. Absorption band in absorption spectrum can be characterized by the
wave length at which max absorption occurs.
3
VIB Emission spectra
The spectra which are obtained by the emission of electromagnetic radiations
from the excited substances are known as Emission spectra
, like atomic emission spectra. The excitation is caused by heating the substance
to a high temperature either thermally or electrically. The excited substance
emits certain radiations when it comes to the ground state and a spectrometer
records these radiations as an emission spectrum.
4
CHAPTER NO. 2 INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY
1. Infrared Spectroscopy
IR spectroscopy is a very useful for the detection of different functional groups

through their absorption of infrared light. All the bonds in a molecule are
constantly vibrating. When these bonds absorb radiation in the IR region, their
amplitude of vibration increases which is called vibrational excitement. IR
spectroscopy measures this vibrational excitation of atoms around the bonds
that connect them. The positions of the absorption lines associated with this
excitation depend on the types of functional groups present, and the IR spectrum
as a whole displays a pattern unique for each individual substance.
2.1 Stretching and Bending Vibrations
The covalent bonds in molecules are constantly vibrating. The bond between two
atoms behaves like a vibrating spring.
There are two types of vibrating motions of covalent bonds.
1) Stretching vibration 2) Bending vibration
2.1 A stretch is a vibration that occurs along the line of the bond and changes
the bond length.
2.2 A bend is a vibration that does not occur along the line of the bond, but
changes the bond angle.
In general, stretching vibrations occur at higher frequencies than bending

vibrations. Also asymmetric stretching vibrations occur at higher
frequencies than symmetric stretching vibration.
A diatomic molecule such as H-Cl can undergo only a stretching vibration since
it has no bond angles.
The vibrations of a molecule containing three or more atoms are more complex.
Such molecules can have two types of stretching vibrations, symmetric and
asymmetric.

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Introduction To Spectroscopy: I Spectroscopy and The Electromagnetic Spectrum

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INTRODUCTION TO SPECTROSCOPY

I Spectroscopy and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is made up of the following components: (High

Neu Bar (cm-1) = 1/λ

IR spectroscopy is a very useful for the detection of different functional groups

In general, stretching vibrations occur at higher frequencies than bending

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