spectroscopy

American  

[spek-tros-kuh-pee, spek-truh-skoh-pee] / spɛkˈtrɒs kə pi, ˈspɛk trəˌskoʊ pi /

noun

1. the science that deals with the use of the spectroscope and with spectrum analysis.

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spectroscopy British  

/ spɛkˈtrɒskəpɪ /

noun

1. the science and practice of using spectrometers and spectroscopes and of analysing spectra, the methods employed depending on the radiation being examined. The techniques are widely used in chemical analysis and in studies of the properties of atoms, molecules, ions, etc

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spectroscopy Scientific  

/ spĕk-trŏs′kə-pē /

1. The analysis of spectra, especially light or mass spectra, to determine properties of their source.

2. ◆ In light or optical spectroscopy, the spectrum of a light source is analyzed through a spectroscope to determine atomic composition of a substance. In astronomy, phenomena such as red shift can also be analyzed.

3. ◆ In mass spectroscopy, a spectroscope is used to determine the composition of ions or charged molecules in a sample. Spectroscopy is also called spectrography.

4. See also atomic spectrum spectroscope

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spectroscopy Cultural  

1. The branch of science devoted to discovering the chemical composition of materials by looking at the light (and other kinds of electromagnetic radiation) they emit. Scientists use spectroscopy to determine the nature of distant stars and galaxies as well as to identify and monitor the production of products in factories.

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Other Word Forms

• spectroscopist noun

Etymology

Origin of spectroscopy

First recorded in 1865–70; spectro- + -scopy

Example Sentences

Traditional optical spectroscopy has been widely used to study liquids because it is gentle and easy to interpret, but it operates much more slowly.

From Science Daily

By combining kinetic modeling with fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and infrared analysis, the team showed that each plastic type releases its own unique chemical mixture.

From Science Daily

Because of these extreme conditions, widely used techniques like scanning tunneling spectroscopy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy cannot be applied.

From Science Daily

They also examined the composition, structure and behavior of the material involved using electromagnetic spectroscopy, which helped them describe and identify the effect.

From Science Daily

Additional evidence from in situ Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations supports the proposed mechanism, confirming that the engineered interface efficiently drives oxygen evolution.

From Science Daily