CHM2204 Spectroscopy I

Spectroscopy course provides an introduction to the knowledge of the spectroscopy methods about structure of the chemistry compounds. The emphasis of this course is to expose the students to the fundamental principles of molecular spectroscopy focusing on molecular energy levels and their interaction with electromagnetic radiation. The branches of spectroscopy covered include rotational spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), electronic spectroscopy (absorption and emission) and spin resonance spectroscopy (NMR and ESR). 

Course Objectives
At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 

• Describe and explain the production of the various types of electromagnetic radiation and derive and use the laws of absorption spectroscopy 
• Describes the determination of vibration frequencies and force constants for simple molecules.
• Describe in general terms how molecular spectra can be measured.
• Differentiate between absorption and transmission spectra and between absorption and emission spectra
• Describe the types of vibrations that can occur in diatomic and triatomic molecules.
• Describe the origin and appearance of electronic spectra for molecules.
• Describe the different ways in which the molecular mass is determined and calculate isotope splitting patterns based on the known isotopic ratios in nature

Learning outcomes    
On successful completion of this course unit, the students should be able:

• Understand the basic principles of molecular spectroscopy in terms of the quantization of molecular energy and transitions between molecular energy levels when matter interacts with radiation.
• Describe the origin and appearance of rotational spectra.
• Associate a nuclear, atomic or molecular process with the absorption of radiation of a particular frequency.
• State and use the selection rules for vibrational spectra
• Use spectral data to calculate force constants of chemical bonds
• Describe the different ways in which the molecular mass is determined and calculate isotope splitting patterns based on the known isotopic ratios in nature.