The document provides an introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum and spectroscopy. It discusses how electromagnetic radiation exhibits wave-like properties with a wavelength and frequency. The wavelength is the distance between peaks and troughs, while frequency is the number of waves passing a point per second. Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional and related by the velocity of light. Higher frequency radiation has higher energy. Spectroscopy studies how electromagnetic radiation interacts with atoms and molecules. Different regions of the spectrum probe different molecular structures.

1. Introduction to the
electromagnetic spectrum

2. Introduction to Spectroscopy
• Electromagnetic radiation is one of many ways in which energy
travels through space.
• As chemists we study how electromagnetic radiation interact with
atoms and molecules (Spectroscopy).
• Electromagnetic radiation (light) exhibit wave like properties.
• These waves are usually described in terms of its wavelength (l)
and frequency (n).
Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. 14-2 Klein, Organic Chemistry 3e

3. Introduction to Spectroscopy
• The distance between the consecutive crests (or troughs)is the
wavelength (l). The no. of full cycles of the wavelength that pass a
given point each second, as the wave moves through space is called
frequency (n). The vertical distance between the tip of the crest and
the waves central axis is known as the amplitude.
Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. 14-3 Klein, Organic Chemistry 3e

4. Properties of Waves
Wavelength (l) Greek (lambda)
– Distance between two successive peaks or troughs
– Units are in meters, centimeters, nanometers
Frequency (n) Greek (nu)
– Number of waves per second that pass a given point in
space
– Units are in Hertz (Hz = cycles/sec = 1/sec = s–1)
Related by
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5. Introduction to Spectroscopy
• Electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum at the same
velocity. The velocity of light c : 3.00 x 108 m/sec. relates to
frequency and wavelength as c = l  n.
• The frequency is related to the velocity of light by the expression:
n =
Where: C = : 3x108 m/sec, n= frequency in Hertz (Units are in Hz = cycles/sec = 1/sec = s–1), l=
wavelength (m, cm or nm)
• Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional. The higher the frequency the
shorter the wavelength and vise versa
Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. 14-5 Klein, Organic Chemistry 3e
c
l

6. Learning Check: Converting from Wavelength to Frequency
The bright red color in fireworks is due to
emission of light when Sr(NO3)2 is heated. If
the wavelength is 650 nm, what is the
frequency of this light?
6
n =
c
l
=
3.00 ´108
m/s
650 ´10-9
m
n = 4.61 × 1014 s–1 = 4.6 × 1014 Hz

7. Your Turn!
WCBS broadcasts at a frequency of 880. kHz.
What is the wavelength of their signal?
A. 341 m
B. 293 m
C. 293 mm
D. 341 km
E. 293 mm
7
s
/
10
880
m/s
10
00
.
3
c
3
8


=
n
=
l
= 341 m

8. Introduction to Spectroscopy
• Electromagnetic radiation is energy and thus when it is exposed
to a molecule it adsorbs radiation thus gains energy.
• How much energy it gains depends on the frequency therefore
Frequency is directly proportional to energy. The higher the
frequency of radiation the greater its energy
DE= gain in energy (J)
h= Planks constant (6.626 x 10-34 Js)
n= frequency in Hz (hertz cycles/sec:s-1)
• Wavelength is inversely proportional to energy
n = DE =
Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. 14-8 Klein, Organic Chemistry 3e
∵ DE = hn
∴ E  n
hc
l
c
l
The shorter the wavelength of
radiation the greater its energy

9. Learning Check
What is the frequency, in sec–1, of radiation
which has an energy of 3.371 × 10–19 joules
per photon?
9
n =
E
h
n =
3.371´10-19
J
6.626 ´10-34
J s
n = 5.087 × 1014 s–1

10. Your Turn!
A microwave oven uses radiation with a frequency of
2450 MHz (megahertz, 106 s–1) to warm up food.
What is the energy of such photons in joules?
A. 1.62 × 10–30 J
B. 3.70 × 1042 J
C. 3.70 × 1036 J
D. 1.62 × 1044 J
E. 1.62 × 10–24 J
10
 )  ) 






 



=
=


MHz
s
MHz
Js
h
E
1
6
34 10
1
2450
10
626
.
6

J
E 24
10
62
.
1 

=

11. Electromagnetic Spectrum
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high energy, short waves low energy, long waves
 Electromagnetic waves are arranged according frequencies or wavelengths and this classification is
known as electromagnetic spectrum
 Radio waves: longest wavelength, low energy
 Microwaves: produce more energy due to shorter wavelength
 Infrared rays: fire, sun , creatures all produce infra red light, we can not see it but feel it as heat.
 Visible light : This is light we can see, occupies a very narrow space found between IR and UV.
 Ultraviolet light: causes sunburn when exposed to it.
 X-rays: passes through soft tissue such as skin but no through denser material such as bones and
can also be used in security application

12. • Thus a spectrum of a compound is a plot of how much
electromagnetic radiation is absorbed/transmitted @ each
frequency and it can be highly characteristic of the compounds
structure.
• Different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are used to
probe for different aspects of molecular structure:
Introduction to Spectroscopy

13. Relating this session to real life situation
• Do 5G towers result in COVID-19?
13

14. Homework
• A particular wave of electromagnetic radiation has a frequency of 1.5×1014 Hz.
What is the wavelength of this wave? What would you expect to happen to the
frequency of a light wave if its wavelength were increased by a factor of 10?
• A photon has a frequency of 2.0×1024 Hz, What is the energy of this photon?
• The wavelength of orange light is about 590−635 nm, and the wavelength of
green light is about 520−560 nm. Which color of light is more energetic, orange
or green?
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