Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Special Studies In Biochemical Instrumental Methods, Parvin Waymack

Honors Theses

Two useful methods of biochemical analysis are infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy. The occurrence of absorption bands in the infrared region can be predicted for some of the simpler molecules. Theoretically, in order for a molecule to absorb radiation it must possess a vibrational or rotational frequency the same as that of the electromagnetic radiation, and a change in the magnitude and/or direction of the dipole moment must take place. The change in dipole moment may be caused by asymmetrical vibration or asymmetrical rotation of the molecule.