ABSTRACT
The subject of spectroscopy provides us with a description of how chemical particles interact with electromagnetic radiation. Spectroscopic techniques can be classified according to the type of incident radiation (such as ultraviolet or infrared), or according to the molecular phenomena giving rise to the spectrum (such as rotation or vibration). Because we are concerned with interactions at the microscopic level, it is not surprising that the ideas of quantum mechanics are important in a development of this subject. In mathematical terms, most aspects of spectroscopy can be dealt with using techniques we have already met.
