Spectroscopy

What is Spectroscopy?
toc Spectroscopy is the study of spectral lines from different atoms and molecules, it is the use of light, sound as well as particle emission to study matter. Light is a form of energy that moves through space and can be described of as either waves or particles. Most often these emissions are able to show and tell us what we need to know about the properties of the object that is being looked upon. A spectrometer is what is used to help researchers use spectroscopy in an effective way. A spectrometer records the spectrum of light being emitted or absorbed by the object.



Spectroscopy contributing to astronomy and Forensic Investigations
Although Spectroscopy can be very confusing and is very complex it can be very useful for astronomers as well as forensic investigations. Astronomers can find out many things such as how a black hole, neutron star, active galaxy, as well as planets are producing light and how much they are producing. By doing so they also can understand how fast things in space are going and which elements these things are composed of. Spectroscopy often also plays a big part in forensic investigations. It’s often used for the identification of substances that are left behind at crime scenes or any other objects or substances that can be of any help. They figure out what the objects are by looking closely at the frequency spectrum of the object and they see how much light is absorbed or emitted. Spectroscopy is referred to as a part of science in which visible light is used for studies and leaves scientists with accurate observations on whatever they are analyzing.

The Visible Light Spectrum
The visible light spectrum is the very small part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum that is visible to the eye and that we can all see. Every wavelength is a different length and determines the color seen to us. The visible light spectrum is remembered by ROYGBV in which every letter stands for a color. Red has the biggest wave lengths and then it slowly decreases in length down to violet.



Three types of spectra
An object can make a continuous, emission and absorption spectra. The examples of these types of spectra are shown below and are only for visible light. All three of these Spectra's are what Spectroscopy uses in order to help scientists identify and investigate particular substances/objects.

Continuous spectra
Continuous spectra are emitted by any object that radiates heat or has a temperature. The light is spread out into a continuous line formation with every wavelength having a different amount of radiation but all have at least a little bit. Like when light is directed through a prism and the colors of the rainbow are reflected out the other side.

Absorption spectra
When looking at the sun closely you will notice that you can see dark lines around it. This is because the suns atmosphere absorbs the light at those certain wave lengths, causing the intensity of the light at this wavelength to drop and look dark to us. The tiny molecular objects in a gas will only absorb certain wavelengths of light, thus why there are only few dark spots around the sun. Every element has a different pattern of lines which makes it so scientists can find out what elements and gases different atmospheres consist of. Below are the absorption spectra of hydrogen.



Emission spectra
An emission spectra is when the molecules in a gas gives out extra light at certain wavelengths, which causes bright lines to appear in a spectra. Again like the absorption spectra the spectra is unique for each and every element, although they are quite different things. The absorption spectra creates dark lines and the emission spectra is the exact opposite knowing it produces bright lines. We can see emission spectra from comets, nebula and certain types of stars in space.



How Spectroscopy improved our understanding of Nature
Spectroscopy has improved our understanding of nature drastically in that we can research and find out many different characteristics about all different objects in our everyday society. Where it helps most is with the people studying space and our universe. It helps them figure out many different things about the things that are in space and without Spectroscopy we would not be so up to date and educated about everything in space.

Definiton Chart:
of as either waves or particles. ||
 * **Term** || **Definition** ||
 * ===Spectroscopy=== || is the study of spectral lines from different atoms and molecules, it is the use of light, sound as well as particle emmision to study matter. ||
 * ===Light=== || is a form of energy that moves through space and can be described
 * ===Spectrometer=== || is what is used to help researchers use spectroscopy in an effective way. A spectrometer records the spectrum of light being emmited or absorbed by the object. ||
 * ===Spectrum=== || is the visible light waves that we can see.(ROYGBV) ||
 * ===Continuous Spectra=== || is the spectrum emitted by an object that radiates heat or has a temperature. The light is spread out into a continuous line formation with every wavelength having a diiferent amount of radiation ||
 * ===Absorbtion Spectra=== || is when light is absorbed and then black appears in the color spectrum ||
 * ===Emmission Spectra=== || is when the molecules in a gas gives out extra light at certain wavelengths, which causes bright lines to appear in a spectra. ||

Spectroscopy video:
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Work Cited Forensic Science. (n.d.). Chemistry. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from http://www.wavesignal.com/forensics/

Infrared Spectroscopy in Astronomy. (n.d.). Infrared Processing and Analysis Center. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/outreach/Edu/Spectra/spec.html

Jones, A. Z. (n.d.). Spectroscopy - definition of spectroscopy. Physics. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from http://physics.about.com/od/glossary/g/spectroscopy.htm

Jones, A. Z. (n.d.). Visible Light Spectrum. Physics. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from http://physics.about.com/od/lightoptics/a/vislightspec.htm

Spectroscopy. (n.d.). Nasa. Retrieved May 18, 2012, from imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lessons/xray_spectra/background-spectroscopy.html