Download Applications of Spectroscopy Lesson

Applications of
Chemical Analysis
THE USES OF
SPECTROSCOPY
Spectroscopy
 is the study of line spectrums
 Line spectrums are important tools for
identifying elements because no two line
spectra are alike.
ASTRONOMY
 Scientists use spectroscopes attached to
telescopes to look at stars
 The spectrum of a star can tell us:
 the
composition of the star
the chemical elements found in the star
how much of each element is present in the
star
 the temperature of the star
 the direction the star is moving relative to the
Earth
MEDICAL USE
 Modern spectroscopes allow very precise detection
and measurement of substances in human tissue
and fluids
 This technology can be used to monitor athletes for
the use of performance-enhancing substances
 Medical patients can be tested for substances that
indicate the onset or progress of diseases, which
allows for better diagnostic tests to help fight
against diseases
PRECIOUS GEMSTONES
 The minerals in precious gems have unique
line spectra.
 These can be used to determine if a gem is
genuine or a fake without damaging the
stone.
 Some minerals look almost identical to
precious gems, even to a trained eye.
 The ruby in the Crown
Jewels of the British
monarchy is not a ruby
at all, it is a much less
valuable mineral called
a red spinel.
MRI
 Magnetic resonance imaging is a tool used in
the medical industry to diagnosis many
types of injuries and conditions in the body
such as:
 Diagnosing:
Multiple sclerosis, tumors,
infection, tendonitis and early stages of strokes
 Visualizing: torn ligaments
 Evaluating: masses in soft tissue, bone tumors,
cysts and bulging or herniated spinal discs
Archaeology
 James Myster is an
archaeologist who
used spectroscopy to
determine where
different locations of
buildings were build in
the late 18th century.
Summary
 Line spectra are a useful way to analyze and
identify atoms in: Astronomy, Medicine, Precious
Gems, MRI and Archaeology.