What are the differences between IR spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy in terms of their applications and principles?

IR spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy are both analytical techniques used to study the interaction of light with matter.

IR spectroscopy is primarily used to identify functional groups in organic molecules by measuring the vibrations of chemical bonds. It is sensitive to the presence of specific functional groups such as carbonyl, hydroxyl, and amino groups.

UV-Vis spectroscopy, on the other hand, is used to determine the electronic transitions of molecules, providing information about the presence of conjugated systems and chromophores. It is commonly used to quantify the concentration of a compound in solution.

In terms of principles, IR spectroscopy measures the absorption of infrared radiation by molecules, while UV-Vis spectroscopy measures the absorption of ultraviolet and visible light. The differences in the types of radiation used result in different applications and information obtained from each technique.