CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

I noticed in the homework a lot of problems asking which part of the spectrum a certain number of nm fell into (after doing a problem where you calculate the wavelength of something). For tests and such, will we need to have the spectrum memorized? Like, will I need to know that 340 nm falls in the UV spectrum while 600 nm falls in the visible spectrum?

I think we should have an idea of where the colors are just in case using ROYGBIV, but I'm not sure if we have to know the exact ranges.

^ I agree. I think we should have a general idea and be familiar with the spectrum, however knowing the exact numbers may not be necessary. But it can never hurt to memorize it!

It would probably be helpful to know the ranges of UV, visible, and infrared light, since that is the extent of what is used in chem for the most part, but i wouldn't worry as much about radio waves or microwaves because it doesn't seem as relevant to this course.

I was curious about this too, because I noticed in lecture today, Lavelle was asking the class what region a certain wavelength range was, so I am wondering if we have to know the general wavelength of each region or if we just have to know the relative strength.

I'm thinking that we might need to memorize it as well as the varying types of light in order to have a general understanding of the strength of each as they relate to each other.

I think we need to. There will be problems were we we need to state the spectrum given the answer we get. There was a similar problem like that on the homework.

I think it would be advisable to have a general idea, like Dr. Lavelle said, about where a particular wavelength falls.
100-400 nm: UV light
400-700 nm: Visible light
700 nm- 1 mm: Infrared radiation

There was a problem on the homework (1A.5) that asked to list waves in order of of decreasing wavelength, so maybe if we know the range of each type of wave generally.

I think it would be better to remember the main ones just in case such as UV light, infrared light, and visible light, and even then just a general idea of where on the spectrum the light is in terms of numbers. Otherwise I'm not sure what information about the light spectrum will be provided on our exams.

I don't think you need to memorize exact values. Just having a general idea and being able to approximate the wavelengths for each major type (UV, infrared, etc...) is sufficient.

I think you just need to know the order of the types of radiation and maybe the numbers for only the main ones like visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet.

I think we should at least remember the range of UV and visible light.

It is advisable to know the general idea and the main categories such as UV, visible, and infrared.