The study of light and its different properties can be a complex and confusing topic. In this blog, we will be discussing the difference between action spectrum and absorption spectrum.
By understanding the differences between these two spectrums, you will be able to better understand the science of light and its properties.
Properties of action spectrum
Action spectrum is the measure of the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in stimulating a particular response in a plant or other photosynthetic organism. It is the relative measure of the rate of photosynthesis in response to light of different wavelengths.
Absorption spectrum, on the other hand, is the measure of the quantity of light absorbed by a particular substance at different wavelengths. While action spectrum measures the effect of a particular wavelength in inducing a response, absorption spectrum measures the amount of light absorbed by a particular substance.
Properties of absorption spectrum
Absorption spectrum and action spectrum are both ways to measure the effects of light on a given substance. The difference between them lies in what is being measured. An absorption spectrum measures the amount of light that is absorbed by a substance, while an action spectrum measures the amount of a specific action (such as photosynthesis) that is caused by the light.
This can be seen as a difference between measuring the amount of light that is absorbed, versus the amount of work that the light does.
Examples of action and absorption spectrum
The difference between action and absorption spectra lies in their purpose and function. Action spectra measure the amount of energy or light required for a certain reaction to occur in a given material, while absorption spectra measure the amount of energy or light absorbed by a given material.
In general, action spectra are used to evaluate the efficiency of a certain process, while absorption spectra are used to analyze the material’s physical properties.
Applications of action and absorption spectrum
The action spectrum and absorption spectrum are two important tools used to understand the behavior of light and its interaction with substances. The action spectrum is used to measure how different wavelengths of light affect a particular biological process, such as photosynthesis. The absorption spectrum measures the absorption of light energy by a substance.
The main difference between the two is that the action spectrum measures the effect of light on a process, while the absorption spectrum measures the amount of light energy that is absorbed. Both spectra are useful for understanding how light interacts with materials, and can be used to understand how light affects life on Earth.
Advantages and disadvantages of action and absorption spectrum
Action spectrum and absorption spectrum are two terms used to describe the properties of light and its interactions with matter. Action spectrum refers to the ability of certain wavelengths of light to induce certain types of chemical reactions in a given material, while absorption spectrum refers to the ability of certain wavelengths of light to be absorbed by a given material. The key difference between action spectrum and absorption spectrum is that action spectrum refers to the ability of certain wavelengths of light to induce certain types of chemical reactions, while absorption spectrum refers to the ability of certain wavelengths of light to be absorbed.
Action spectra can be used to measure the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in inducing a certain reaction, while absorption spectra can be used to measure the amount of light absorbed by a given material. Both spectra are beneficial in understanding the properties of light and its interactions with matter.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the main difference between an action spectrum and an absorption spectrum is that an action spectrum measures the effectiveness of different wavelengths of light in driving a particular biological process, while an absorption spectrum measures the amount of light that is absorbed by a substance at different wavelengths. Action spectra are useful for determining the best wavelength of light to use for a particular purpose, such as photosynthesis, while absorption spectra are useful for determining the chemical makeup of a sample.
