Define the basic concepts behind the spectral techniques, Biology

Assignment Help:

Define the Basic Concepts behind the Spectral Techniques?

Energy is transmitted via electromagnetic waves that are characterized by their frequency and wavelength. The physical definition of wavelength is the distance that a periodic wave propagates in one period or the distance between wave crests. Analytically the term wavelength describes a posi-tion within a spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation includes radiant energy that extends from cosmic rays with wave-lengths as short as 10-9 nm up to radio waves longer than 1000 km. However, in this unit the term light is used to describe radiant energy from the visible and ultraviolet portions of the spectrum (290 to 800 nm). In addition to possessing wavelength characteristics, light also behaves as it is composed of discrete energy packets called photons. The relationship between the energy of photons and their frequency is illustrated as:

E = hν              (1)

where:

E = Energy in ergs

ν = Frequency of the light given in cycles per second

λ = Planck's constant (6.62 × 10-27 erg seconds)

The frequency of light (ν) is related to the wavelength by

ν =   c/ λ         (2)

where:

ν = Frequency of light in cycles per second

c = Speed of light in a vacuum (3 × 1010 cm/sec)

λ = Wavelength in centimeters.

By combining equations (1) and (2), the product is

E = hc/λ

This equation shows that the energy of light is inversely proportional to the wavelength. For example, ultraviolet (UV) radiation at 200 nm possesses greater energy than infrared (IR) radiation at 750 nm. The human eye responds to radiant energy with wavelengths between about 380 and 750 nm, but modern instrumentation permits measurements at both shorter wavelength (UV) and longer wavelength (IR) portions of the spectrum. Sunlight, or light emitted from a tungsten filament, is a mixture, or spectrum, of radiant energy of different wavelengths that the eye recognizes as "white."


Related Discussions:- Define the basic concepts behind the spectral techniques

How establish a pure-breeding population of brown pigs, Would it be possibl...

Would it be possible to establish a pure-breeding population of brown pigs with a few black spots?

Describe the main cycle in metabolism of cornea, Describe the main cycle in...

Describe the main cycle in metabolism of cornea. Main Cycle: Glycolysis is represented by the central chain and involves the anaerobic conversion of glucose into pyruvic

Explain fusion inhibitor, Fusion inhibitor  After HIV binds to the host...

Fusion inhibitor  After HIV binds to the host cell surface, a conformational change occurs in the transmembrane glycoprotein sub- unit (gp41) of the viral envelope, facilitatin

Describe the patent ductus arteriosus, Describe the Patent Ductus Arteriosu...

Describe the Patent Ductus Arteriosus? It is the persistence of normal fetal channel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery. It accounts for 5-10 per cent of all CHDs. Funct

West nile virus infection, West Nile virus infection West Nile virus (W...

West Nile virus infection West Nile virus (WNV) is a type strain of flaviviruses and is related to Japanese encephalitis group. The virus was first isolated from a woman in the

What is the objectives of neuropsychological assessment, What is the Object...

What is the Objectives of Neuropsychological assessment?   Define and describe neuropsychological assessment; Elucidate the neuropsychological methodology for assessing i

Classification of poisonous arthropods, what is the classification of poiso...

what is the classification of poisonous arthropods according to their mode of toxicity to human

Horse diseases-japanese encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis The Japane...

Japanese encephalitis The Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-born flavivirus infection that causes encephalitis in human and equines and abortion in pigs, caused by Japanese

Animal Cells, what are the functions of cytoplasm ?

what are the functions of cytoplasm ?

What is the life cycle of the hookworms, What is the life cycle of the hook...

What is the life cycle of the hookworms? Adult hookworms within the human intestine release eggs that are eliminated with the human feces. Under adequate conditions of moisture

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd