Experiment #6 - Flame Test & Beer's Law

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and vocabulary from the Experiment #6 lecture notes, focusing on spectroscopy, the electromagnetic spectrum, and related laboratory techniques.

Spectroscopy

A branch of instrumental analysis that uses light to study matter and determine the concentration of solutions.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, from gamma rays to radio waves.

Photon

A quantum of electromagnetic radiation.

UV-Vis Spectroscopy

A method that utilizes ultraviolet and visible light to determine the concentration of a solution.

Spectrophotometer

An instrument used to measure the intensity of light absorbed or transmitted by a sample.

Monochromator

An optical device that selects a narrow band of wavelengths for irradiation of the sample.

Absorbance

A measure of the amount of light absorbed by a sample.

Transmittance

A measure of the amount of light that passes through a sample.

Beer's Law

A formula that relates absorbance to concentration and path length: A = εlc.

Calibration Curve

A plot that shows the relationship between concentration and absorbance, used to determine unknown concentrations.

Characteristic Colors

Distinct colors emitted by metals when heated in a flame, used for identification.

Complementary Colors

Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel; can be used to predict wavelengths of light absorbed by substances.

Ground State

The lowest energy state of an atom or molecule.

Excited State

A state of an atom or molecule where it has absorbed energy and an electron has moved to a higher energy level.

Electronic Transitions

Changes in the energy level of electrons in an atom or molecule caused by the absorption of light.

Vibrational Transitions

Energy transitions between vibrational states of a molecule, typically observed in infrared spectroscopy.

Rotational Transitions

Energy transitions corresponding to changes in the rotational state of a molecule, typically observed in microwave spectroscopy.