Introduction to
SPECTROSCOPY
It involves the splitting of electromagnetic radiation into its wavelengths (a
spectrum), which is done in much the same way as a prism splits light into a
rainbow of colors.
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and
electromagnetic radiation.
The different types of spectroscopy are named after the type of electromagnetic radiation
that is used. For example:
• Optical Spectroscopy uses visible light
• Infrared Spectroscopy uses infrared radiation
• Ultraviolet Spectroscopy uses ultraviolet radiation.
2
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR)
EMR is a form of energy that travels through space as waves. It is made up of oscillating
electric and magnetic fields. EMR can travel through a vacuum, but it can also be absorbed
or scattered by matter.
The different types of EMR are classified by their frequency and wavelength.
The wavelength of EMR is the distance between
two successive peaks of a wave. The units of
wavelength are the nanometer (1 nm = 10-9 m.)
The frequency of EMR is the number of waves that
pass a point in a given amount of time. The units of
frequency are cycles per second or Hertz (Hz)
3
• Radio waves: Have the lowest frequency and longest wavelength of all types of EMR. They are used
for communication, broadcasting, and radar.
• Microwaves: Have a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than radio waves. They are used for
cooking, radar, and medical imaging.
• Infrared radiation: Has a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than microwaves.
• Visible light: The type of EMR that we can see. It has a wide range of frequencies and wavelengths,
from violet to red.
• Ultraviolet radiation: Has a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than visible light.
• X-rays: Have a very high frequency and very short wavelength. They can penetrate matter and are
used for medical imaging and security scanning.
• Gamma rays: Have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength of all types of EMR. They are
emitted by radioactive materials and can be very harmful to living tissue. 5
The Spectrum and Molecular Effects
6
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction of light and matter. It is a broad field that encompasses
many different techniques, each of which uses a different type of electromagnetic radiation.
The most common types of spectroscopy are:
• Absorption spectroscopy: This type of spectroscopy measures the
amount of light that is absorbed by a substance. The absorption
spectrum of a substance is unique, so it can be used to identify the
substance.
• Emission spectroscopy: This type of spectroscopy measures the light
that is emitted by a substance. The emission spectrum of a substance is
also unique, so it can be used to identify the substance.
• Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR spectroscopy): This
type of spectroscopy measures the absorption of radio waves by nuclei
in a substance. NMR spectroscopy can be used to study the structure of
molecules and the dynamics of chemical reactions.
• Mass spectrometry: This type of spectroscopy measures the mass-to-
charge ratio of ions in a substance. Mass spectrometry can be used to
identify and quantify the components of a mixture. 7
Spectroscopy is a powerful tool that is used in a wide variety of applications. It is a
valuable tool for scientists, engineers, and technicians.
Applications of Spectroscopy
• Chemical analysis: Spectroscopy can be used to identify the chemical
composition of a substance. For example, infrared spectroscopy can
be used to identify the different types of bonds in a molecule.
• Material science: Spectroscopy can be used to study the structure
and properties of materials. For example, Raman spectroscopy can be
used to study the defects in a crystal.
• Medical diagnostics: Spectroscopy can be used to diagnose diseases.
For example, near-infrared spectroscopy can be used to measure the
blood oxygen level in a patient's skin.
• Quality control: Spectroscopy can be used to ensure the quality of
manufactured products. For example, infrared spectroscopy can be
used to check the purity of food products.
8
Important of spectroscopy in pharmaceutical analysis
Spectroscopy is an indispensable tool in the pharmaceutical industry, playing a crucial role in various stages
of drug development and production. Here are some of its key importance:
1. Drug Identification and Quality Control:
Identification: Spectroscopy techniques, such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy, can accurately identify the
chemical structure of a drug, ensuring its purity.
Quality Control: Spectroscopy is used to monitor the quality of drugs throughout their production
process, detecting impurities and contaminants.
2. Drug Formulation and Development:
Formulation: Spectroscopy helps in understanding the interactions between active ingredients and
excipients in drug formulations, optimizing their physical and chemical properties.
Development: Spectroscopy is used to study the stability of drug formulations over time, ensuring their
efficacy and safety.
Important of spectroscopy in pharmaceutical analysis
3. Pharmaceutical Analysis:
Quantitative Analysis: Spectroscopy can determine the concentration of active ingredients and
impurities in pharmaceutical products with high precision.
Structural Analysis: Spectroscopy provides valuable information about the molecular structure of
drugs, aiding in understanding their mechanism of action and potential interactions with other
substances.
4. Forensic Analysis:
Drug Identification: Spectroscopy is used in forensic analysis to identify drugs found in crime scenes
Toxicology: Spectroscopy can detect and quantify toxic substances in biological samples, such as blood
or urine.
5. Research and Development:
• New Drug Discovery: Spectroscopy is employed in research to study the properties of potential new
drugs and to identify promising candidates.
