absorptiometry
Quick Summary
Absorptiometry is a spectral method used in chemical analysis to measure the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by a substance, known as the analyte. This absorption occurs when a photon of radiation strikes a molecule, raising it to a higher energy state, which decreases the intensity of the radiation passing through the sample.12
The techniques used to measure this absorption are called absorptiometry or absorption spectrophotometry. Absorptiometry is categorized by the energy or wavelength of the radiation used, including radiowave, microwave, infrared, ultraviolet-visible, and X-ray absorptiometry.1
The amount of radiation absorbed is proportional to the analyte's concentration and the path length of the radiation through the sample. By measuring the decrease in radiation intensity, the concentration of the analyte can be determined. Since different substances absorb radiation at specific wavelengths, absorptiometry can also be used for qualitative analysis by identifying components based on their unique absorption spectra.1
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