Differentiating spectroscopies

[daniella_knight1I]

What's the difference between atomic spectroscopy and molecular spectroscopy?

[Srikar_Ramshetty 1K]

Atomic spectroscopy concerns an element and is focused on the natures of only that element, such as exciting an electron. Molecular spectroscopy concerns molecules, which are composed of atoms. Molecular spectroscopy focuses on how molecules interact including their bonding and electromagnetic interactions.

Hope this helps!

[LorenzoDuvergne3I]

Atomic spectroscopy is the study of how e-m radiation interacts with atoms and molecules, while molecular spectroscopy is the same study but with properties unique to molecules. Atomic spectroscopy can only tell you the composition of the atom/molecule while molecular can be used to study molecule-specific properties like the bonds of the molecule.