Essentially, spectroscopy is the study of radiated energy and matter to determine their interaction, and it does not create results on its own. Spectrometry is the application of spectroscopy so that there are quantifiable results that can then be assessed.Spectrometry deals with the measurement of a specific spectrum. There are four primary types of spectrometers:

Spectroscopy is an analytical tool which is study of interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter in the analyte in question. It is the study of absorption characteristics of the matter or absorption behaviour of the matter when subjected to electromagnetic radiation while spectrometry helps in quantification say in terms of absorbance or Optical density or transmittance.

Spectroscopy refers to the study of how radiated energy and matter interact. The energy is absorbed by the matter, creating an excited state. When the matter is a metal, it is easy to see the interaction of energy and matter because the metal will produce visible evidence, usually as sparks. The interaction creates some form of electromagnetic waves (EM), often in the form of visible light, such as sparks.

Spectrometry deals with the measurement of a specific spectrum. There are four primary types of spectrometers:

Mass spectrometry Neutron triple axis spectrometry Ion-mobility spectrometry Rutherford backscattering spectrometry

Spectroscopy is the theoretical science, and spectrometry is the practical measurement i.e. application of that science. So in practice, both terms are correct, it just depends on the context in which they are being used, i.e. are you discussing the science, or the practical measurement?

An interesting, and somewhat related discussion is whether or not a UV/Vis, is a spectrphotometer, or a spectrometer?

For AAS you should use the term - spectroscopy.

For MS - spectrometry.

In general definition spectrometry is a part of spectroscopy.

regards,

G

Grzegorz Boczkaj, John P. Hammond, F.s. Shanta, Shrikaant Kulkarni , Pravin Kumar Tiwari

What about spectrophotometer?

This a relevant question, useful in teaching.

Spectroscopy is a term used to describe measurements involving electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, etc. Mass spectrometry involves molecules that are being analyzed by their fragmentation patterns, not by their interaction with the electromagnetic radiation.

The reason for the use of the term mass spectroscopy is that in the past the patterns of fragmentation of the molecules were recorded on a photographic plate and thus involved Radiation. However, modern mass spectrometers no longer use this method of analysis, and therefore the term Mass Spectroscopy is technically incorrect.

Spectroscopy is a physical field dealing with the origin and properties of spectra. Spectroscopy is based on the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the sample. If we measure any spectra, we call this spectrometry.

Regarding this topic, I would like to add which is called 'zeroth law of mass spectrometry' in the Gross's textbook "Mass Spectrometry":

"First of all, never make the mistake of calling it 'mass spectroscopy'. Spectroscopy involves the absorption of electromagnetic radiation, and mass spectrometry is different. The mass spectrometrists sometimes get upset if you confuse this issue".

I consider it remarkable that we, usually, perform spectroscopy using a "spectrometer" rather than a "spectroscope"....

The main difference is that spectroscopy typically deals with light, mass spectrometry does not.

I would say, this is good source of explanation of these two terms:

https://kermitmurray.com/msterms/index.php/Difference_between_spectroscopy_and_spectrometry

https://www.msacl.org/documents/cms_guidance/Mass_Spectrometry_Definitions_and_Terms_IUPAC_2013.pdf

Hi Pravin,

Most of the analytical chemist confused at their junior level about the two term ‘spectroscopy’ and ‘spectrometry’. It can be clear by remembering following two concepts:

1. Spectroscopy is the study of interaction of matter with energy. For example NMR, IR, UV-Visible AAS etc. are spectroscopic technique.

2. Spectrometry is the balancing of matter in atomic and molecular level. For example mass spectral study is a spectrometric technique.

Therefore AAS stands for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, because in this case the atoms absorb ultraviolet or visible light and make transitions to higher electronic energy levels. The analyte concentration is determined from the amount of absorption.

Good luck.

Spectroscopy deals with interaction of the electromagnetic radiation with the matter i.absorption or emmission of radiation. Whereas spectrometry deals with the bombardment of the sample with high energy electric beam which brings the breaking of the molecules to smaller fragment ions.

Spectroscopy deals with the interaction of matter, i. e., atoms, ions and molecules, with EMR. Its a physical phenomenon invlove excitation and/or de-excitation of electrons. Its non-destructive technique mostly. Mass spectrometery make use of high accelerated electrons instead of EMR, and convert the sample i to small fragments. Thus its a destructive technique.

AA spectroscopy is correct as in this technique the free atoms intereact with EMR (coming from a line source) and using Beer's Law the concentration of the analyte atom can be determined.

Theory

Starting with what is common in these two words, firstly we must consider that both were generated from the Latin term 'spectrum'. The word 'spectrum', which means ghost or apparition, was used by Isaac Newton in the 17th century to describe the range of colors that appeared during an experiment in which sunlight passed through a glass prism along its path. Since then, the term 'spectrum' started to be used to refer to what we now call the visible light radiation. Later, the term gained new meanings in the scientific field.

When applied to the words spectroscopy and spectrometry, it makes sense that 'spectrum' refers to a discriminative graphic representation of the energy of the wave components of a system.

In spectroscopy, 'scopy' comes from the Greek term ‘σκοπέω’, which expresses the notion of examination, contemplation or observation. In spectrometry, 'metry' comes from the term 'μέτρο' (Greek as well), which in turn expresses the notion of measurement.

Therefore, SPECTROSCOPY is equivalent to a theoretical approach as a science: the science that studies the interaction between radiation and matter.

Theoretically, SPECTROMETRY, would be equivalent to a practical approach based on spectroscopy, referring to the execution of measures related to a spectrum.

It is important to note that historically, spectroscopy was originated through the study of visible light scattered through a prism. Subsequently, as well as the term ‘spectrum’ itself, the concept of spectroscopy was broadly expanded to include ANY interaction with RADIATIVE ENERGY, since matter waves and acoustic waves can now also be considered forms of radiative energy.

Practice

Pretty much, there are many terms derived from spectroscopy and spectrometry that do not necessarily preserve etymological meanings. A typical example is that in practice, the term spectrometry is actually derived from spectrophotometry, the measurement of photons as a function of wavelength, a term used for many years in astronomy. However, spectrometry is increasingly used to indicate the measurement of quantities without the use of light, as in mass spectrometry.

However, terms such as laboratory spectrometer, spectroscopist, reflectance spectroscopy, thermal emission spectroscopy, spectroradiometer, spectrophotometer, mass spectrometry etc. sometimes are common in certain scientific communities simply because they have gained prestige over time but not always because they are based on careful definitions, which causes incongruity and confusion between different areas or even within the same scientific perimeter.

Based on my own experience and on Clark, 1999 and Ball, 1995.

Simple classification:

Spectroscopy implies the interaction of matters with electromagnetic waves.

Spectrometry implies the measurement of spectra for qualitative or quantitative analysis.

Scope refers to observe and metry refers to measurement. But don't w get measurement or spectrum from Spectroscope?

Dear Bilal Malik,

in my humble view, "scope" means to look at and consider, Metrics means to measure or "meter".

Therefore "scopes" of all kinds, including telescopes, microscopes, oscilloscopes, spectroscopes, merely present and display something to be looked and considered, in other words, measured, by a person, machine or computer.

Gamma Ray and X-Ray spectroscopes provide, organize, and display the raw data, the measurement of that data would therefore be called spectrometry.

This is from a technician's point of view.

I may add again in my opinion, "Light" means the whole electromagnetic spectrum, not just visible light (as can be seen by humans). Therefore, in my field, radio, infrared (i.e. "heat"), visible light, X-Rays and Gamma Rays are all just different energy levels of "light".

George Dowell

GEOelectronics

In my opinion, when we deal with wave nature (like absorption, emission) of EMR is falls in the category of "scopey", while deal with particle nature of EMR (like reflection, dispersion, diffraction) falls in "metery".

Interesting viewpoint Syed. In my sub-discipline we deal with only single, individual photons, individually measured according to their energy levels, but only one at a time, at the speed of light.

George W. Dowell

George Dowell , your work looks very interesting. My basic working area is natural product chemistry