Introduction to Absorption Spectrum

An array of electromagnetic waves makes up the spectrum. There are two

categories into which the atomic spectra acquired from various bodies can be
divided: emission spectra and absorption spectra. Because the wavelengths
missing from the absorption spectrum are visible in the emission spectrum, it is
stated that the absorption spectrum is the ‘photographic negative’ of the
emission spectrum.

The spectrum values of these elements will represent their atomic fingerprint
because the electrical configurations of these elements differ.

The shortest X-rays and gamma rays to the longest radio waves are all included.
The prism in a spectrometer causes the waves of various wavelengths to diverge
in different directions when white light strikes it. The image captured in the
telescope’s field of view is made up of several coloured images of the slit. The
term “spectrum” refers to such an image.

The two types of spectroscopies, absorption and emission, are diametrically

opposed. In this article, we will discuss absorption spectra and their
applications.

What is Absorption Spectrum?

The process of absorption is when the energy wavelengths that are impinging
on a substance’s electrons are absorbed or taken up by them. The amount
of electromagnetic waves radiation, temperatures, solid crystalline structure,
and intermolecular interactions are all factors that affect a material’s level of
absorption.
When energy is absorbed by the electrons, who are typically in the ground
state, to reach higher energy level states, they transmit light frequencies with
dark bands. This type of spectrum results from atoms and nuclei absorbing
energy. A pattern of dark lines is seen when light from any source is transmitted
through the chemical solution. A spectroscope is used to further analyze this
pattern. Exactly where coloured lines in the emission spectrum were observed,
the dark line pattern is evident. The resulting spectrum is known as the
absorption spectrum.

Types of Absorption Spectrum

Absorption spectrum is classified into three types:

Line Absorption spectrum

The atoms are excited by white light. Incoming photons whose energies exactly
match the disparity between the energy levels of the atom are being absorbed.
Only photons of particular frequencies are absorbed because the energy
conversion levels are distinct. Since these light frequencies are no longer
present, they are responsible for the distinct dark lines on a continuous
spectrum found in the absorption spectrum.

Band Absorption spectrum

Dark bands on a continuous brilliant background are produced when white light
is allowed to pass through iodine vapour, diluted blood, chlorophyll, or some
other solutions of organic and inorganic substances. To create dyes, the band
absorption spectra are used.

Continuous Absorption Spectrum

We obtain a continuous absorption spectrum when light is dispersed by

a prism as it passes through a material. For instance, white light passes through
a blue glass plate and absorbs all colours other than blue. This continuous
absorption spectrum serves as an illustration.

Applications of Absorption Spectrum

Following are the applications of the absorption spectrum.

o When the light of a specific wavelength is focused on an unknown

compound, the substance can be recognised and its concentration can be
 calculated by looking at the substance’s absorption spectrum. The
wavelength of the light focused on a substance is crucial because
compounds can only absorb light from a specific wavelength or
wavelength range.
o The light released by stars and planets flows through their atmospheres,
where some of it is absorbed by the gases, to be used to analyse the
makeup of stars. The composition of these planets or stars can be
ascertained by recording the absorption spectra of these gases and
comparing them to the reference spectra values of gases.
o Remote sensing: Using absorption spectroscopy, information about the
land can be gathered without anyone physically entering it, including
characteristics like the amount of forest cover, the condition of the forest,
or exposed rock surfaces. It is possible to get details about the landscape
by focusing light on it and recording its absorption spectra.

Difference between Absorption Spectrum and Emission Spectrum

As the name implies, emission and absorption of light are the fundamental distinction between emission
and absorption spectra. Sounds basic? There is however more to it.

Parameters Absorption Spectra Emission Spectra

Definition The spectrum that results from an The emission spectra are found in the
element of a substance’s constituents spectrum, which is created when a
absorbing energy at a specific frequency substance’s atoms or constituents release a
is known as the absorption spectrum. particular frequency of rays.
Mechanism When light strikes a substance, a specific The electron moves up one energy shell
frequency range is absorbed by the from the ground state. When energy
constituents, creating an absorption reaches the ground state, a certain
spectrum as a result. frequency of energy is emitted, creating a
spectrum.
Band The absorption spectra are where the The emission spectra are what create the
Formed light and dark bands are created. coloured bands.
Advantage The absorption of the atoms within the The structure of a chemical or element can
substance can be calculated from the be determined using the emission spectra.
absorption spectra.
Uses We can estimate the total number of Knowing a substance’s composition can be
atoms present in the constituent by done quite well with the aid of its emission
looking at the frequency of the spectra. spectra.
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