Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Molar absorptivity, denoted as ɛ, measures how well a chemical species absorbs light at a particular wavelength. It is a crucial parameter in ultraviolet spectroscopy for determining the concentration of substances in a solution.
Related terms
Ultraviolet (UV) Spectroscopy: A technique used to measure the absorption of ultraviolet light by a chemical substance, revealing details about its molecular structure.
Beer: Lambert Law - A law that states the absorbance of a solution is directly proportional to its concentration and path length, with molar absorptivity as the proportionality constant.
A system in organic chemistry where alternating single and multiple bonds between atoms allow for delocalization of electrons across these bonds, affecting the molecule's ability to absorb light