Absorption is the ability of an object or chemical to absorb electromagnetic radiation. Different substances absorb different wavelengths of radiation. This property is used for chemical identification, x-rays, and meteorology. Molar absorption measures how much energy a chemical absorbs. The Beer-Lambert law is important for molar absorption. X-rays use absorption to produce images of bones and tissues. Absorption of gases and soil composition affects climate and air temperature. A spectrometer measures the absorbency of a solution, which can determine the concentration of solutes. Calibration curves are used to compare the absorbance of an unknown sample.
Absorption refers to the ability of an object or chemical to absorb light or other electromagnetic radiation. Not all substances absorb the same wavelengths of radiation, so absorbing something can reveal a lot about it. This property has many different uses, from chemical identification and quantification, to x-rays and meteorology.
Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Each color of light, from purple to red, has a slightly different wavelength, measured in nanometers (nm); visible light ranges from about 380 nm to 740 nm. The shorter electromagnetic waves of the violet end of the visible light spectrum include ultraviolet, gamma rays and X-rays. Infrared, microwaves and radio waves are at the higher end of the spectrum.
In chemistry, absorption is more accurately called molar absorption. This is the measure of how much electromagnetic energy a chemical will absorb, depending on the wavelength of the energy. For molar absorption, the Beer-Lambert law plays an important role. This law states that the amount of light transmitted or absorbed will depend on the distance the light travels through the chemical, known as the path length, and the concentration of the solution.
The production of X-rays in an example of the use of electromagnetic absorption. Bones and other tissues absorb different amounts of radiation. When X-rays pass through the body, these differences allow an image to be produced.
Absorption of gases in the atmosphere and soil composition have an impact on climate and air temperature. Gases that have a high absorptive capacity, such as carbon dioxide, raise the air temperature. Compounds in the soil will cause light to be absorbed or reflected, also affecting temperature and weather conditions.
The absorbency of a solution can be measured using a spectrometer. This meter can be set to specific wavelengths. A sample is placed in the machine and exposed to the specified light waves. On the other side of the sample is a detector that measures the amount of light transmitted through the solution. The absorbance of the sample is determined by subtracting the amount of transmitted light from the original light intensity.
The concentration of solutes in a solution can be determined based on this light absorbing capacity. Calibration curves of light absorption at different concentrations are known or produced for each test. The absorbance of the unknown sample is then compared to the calibration curves. The process is used extensively in chemistry and life sciences.
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