Spectroscopy

/spɛkˈtrɒskəpi/ noun

Definition

The study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation, used to identify substances

Etymology

From Latin spectrum meaning appearance or image, from specere to look at, plus Greek skopein meaning to examine

Kelly Says

Spectroscopy is basically how we figured out what stars are made of without ever touching them! Each element has its own unique light fingerprint that shows up in the spectrum.

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