Electromagnetic spectrum

Definition

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, ranging from gamma rays with the shortest wavelengths to radio waves with the longest wavelengths. In organic chemistry, it plays a crucial role in structure determination by providing information about molecular vibrations and ion fragmentation patterns.

Related terms

Infrared Spectroscopy:

A technique that measures how molecules absorb infrared light, revealing details about their chemical bonds and molecular structures.

Mass Spectrometry:

An analytical method that ionizes chemical species and sorts the ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio, used for determining molecular weights and structures.

Wavelength:

The distance between successive crests of a wave, which determines its energy and type within the electromagnetic spectrum