Spectroscopy Chapters 6, 7

Study Guide

1. Explain what happens in a species when a photon is absorbed.

2. Explain the relationship between the l of the photon absorbed and the energy transition within the absorbing species.

3. Explain why if absorption of photons is an individual event we have smooth curves vs. sharp spikes in an absorption spectrum.

4. Sketch a diagram of the instruments we have discussed showing the path of the signal and key components of the system.

5. Compare and Contrast prisms and diffraction gratings as dispersion devices in a monochromator. Advantages and disadvantages should be pointed out.

6. Explain how a monochromator works.

                    7. Describe how the wavelike properties of light affect instrument design. Compare how the         wavelike     properties of light are taken advantage of in instrument design and the ways these properties must be     overcome in instrument design. (Note: this is not a trivial matter, consider refraction, reflection, diffraction, and scattering.)

8. Explain Stokes' shift.

9. Explain the reason for the differences observed in molecular absorption or emission spectra when compared with atomic absorption or emission spectra.

10. Know the function of each of the things in an optical instrument.

11. Compare and contrast (operation, limits, advantages, disadvantages,) phototubes, photomultiplier tubes, and diode arrays as detectors.

12. When comparing things like different sources, wavelength selectors, detectors, etc. be able to justify one choice is better than another for a given application.

In addition all the material from study guide 1 will also be fair material for the first test