Intermolecular Forces and Properties

3.11  Spectroscopy and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Essential Knowledge:

*These are taken directly from College Board

• Differences in absorption or emission of photons in different spectral regions are related to the different types of molecular motion or electronic transition:

  1. Microwave radiation is associated with transitions in molecular rotational levels.

  2. Infrared radiation is associated with transitions in molecular vibrational levels.

Ultraviolet/visible radiation is associated with transitions in electronic energy levels (SAP-8.A.1)