1. Many types of spectrophotometers produce graphs containing a base line with peaks. How are the peaks seen on the graphs produced by a spectrometer used in identifying substances?

2. If the analysis of a substance by using spectroscopy shows characteristic peaks, how does concentration affect the graph?

3. What is the difference between absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy?

Question

1. Many types of spectrophotometers produce graphs containing a base line with peaks. How are the peaks seen on the graphs produced by a spectrometer used in identifying substances? 

2. If the analysis of a substance by using spectroscopy shows characteristic peaks, how does concentration affect the graph? 

3. What is the difference between absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy?

thadyoung · Answer

Well, a spectrophotometer measures intensity of radiation at varying wavelengths, and as you know, all compounds absorb light at different wavelengths, which allows us to obtain information about electron behavior. 

This is also measured by the use of beers law. Absorbance is directly proportional to the concentration: $\sf \color{red}{A=ebC}$

The name itself is fairly self-intuitive: absorb; emit...

thadyoung · Answer

Remember, you're dealing with electrons and photons here.

gebooors · Answer

Are you dealing with NMR spectroscopy?

thadyoung · Answer

Just so you know, spectroscopy and spectrophotometry are not the same thing. Don't confused them like Gebooors did here.