Photon

Definition

A photon is a quantum of electromagnetic energy, essentially a particle of light that carries energy but has no mass. In the context of spectroscopy, photons interact with molecules to cause transitions between energy levels, which is fundamental to understanding molecular structure through techniques like infrared spectroscopy.

Related terms

Electromagnetic Spectrum:

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, from radio waves to gamma rays, characterized by wavelength or frequency.

Infrared Spectroscopy:

An analytical technique used to identify molecular structures based on how molecules absorb infrared light at different wavelengths.

Energy Level Transition: The movement of an electron within an atom or molecule from one energy level to another, typically induced by the absorption or emission of a photon