Word
spectroscopy
Phoneticsspec·troscopy
US/spɛkˈtɹɑskəpi/
UK/spɛktɹˈɒskəpi/
Definition
n. a scientific method that uses light to study what things are made of. By looking at how light bounces off or passes through an object, scientists can identify its chemicals.
n. the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength or frequency. Used to determine the chemical composition, physical structure, and electronic properties of a substance.
Examples
“Scientists use spectroscopy to find water on other planets.”
“By using infrared spectroscopy, the lab technicians were able to identify the unknown powder found at the crime scene.”
“Astronomical spectroscopy allows researchers to determine the chemical composition and temperature of distant stars by analyzing the specific absorption lines present in their light spectra.”
Examples
simple
“Scientists use spectroscopy to find water on other planets.”
contextual
“By using infrared spectroscopy, the lab technicians were able to identify the unknown powder found at the crime scene.”
complex
“Astronomical spectroscopy allows researchers to determine the chemical composition and temperature of distant stars by analyzing the specific absorption lines present in their light spectra.”
Usage
Uncountable in its general sense; specific techniques (e.g., Raman spectroscopy) are often referred to by name.
Real-World Examples
Common in science writing
“The researchers also used Raman spectroscopy, a laser-based method that shows how atoms are being stretched or compressed.” “They used scanning electron microscopy to examine the individual paint layers and spectroscopy to determine the mineral and chemical composition.” “Instead, we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy , a portable sensor worn on the forehead that tracks oxygen levels in the brain while people move and talk normally.” “To evaluate the Hina battery, Schütte and colleagues examined 120 sodium-ion cells using impedance spectroscopy, a non-destructive method that measures battery uniformity.” Etymology
From spectro- + -scopy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.