Question

What are some applications of the field of spectroscopy? Select 5 options.

for identifying elements in a sample
for determining the distance and velocity of galaxies
for producing neon lights
for determining types of chemical bonds
for use in medical imaging devices
for killing bacteria in foods

Answer 1

Select these five:
- for identifying elements in a sample — emission/absorption spectra are used to identify elemental composition.
- for determining the distance and velocity of galaxies — redshift/Doppler shifts of spectral lines give galaxy velocities and (via Hubble’s law) distances.
- for determining types of chemical bonds — IR and Raman spectroscopy reveal bond types and molecular structure.
- for use in medical imaging devices — techniques such as NMR/MR spectroscopy and various optical spectroscopies are used in medical diagnostics and imaging.
- for killing bacteria in foods — germicidal UV (knowledge of spectral effects and wavelengths) and related photochemical treatments are applied for microbial control.

Not selected: producing neon lights — neon signs are produced by gas discharge/fluorescence, not an application of spectroscopy itself.