IR PHYS CHEM

Question 1

Absorption Spectroscopy

Answer 1

There are three main processes by which a molecule can absorb radiation.
- each of these routes involves an increase of energy that is proportional to the light absorbed

Rotational transitions occur at lower energies (longer wavelengths)
- this energy is insufficient to cause vibrational and electronic transitions
Vibrational (near infra-red) and electronic transitions (ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum) require higher energies