MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach) Molecular Structure and Absorption Spectra
May 15, 2025
Delve into the fascinating world of molecular structure and spectroscopy. Discover how Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) reveals the secrets of hydrogen and carbon bonds. Learn to identify functional groups through Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and how peaks relate to molecular vibrations. Explore UV-Vis spectroscopy's role in quantifying compounds and its connection to visible light. Uncover the mysteries of mass spectrometry, including molecular weight determination. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone aiming to master the MCAT!
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Absorption Spectra Reveal Different Molecular Information
- Absorption spectroscopy measures how a sample absorbs electromagnetic radiation across wavelengths to reveal molecular features.
- Different radiation types (IR, visible, UV) probe different molecular motions and energies for distinct information.
Use IR To Spot Functional Groups
- Use IR spectroscopy to identify functional groups by their characteristic peaks, not to fully determine structure.
- Compare key IR peaks to known signatures to confirm presence of groups like carbonyls or hydroxyls.
Limonene Extraction From Organic Lab
- Sam recalls the lemonene extraction from orange peel as a lab example for spectroscopy.
- He used IR to compare the isolated compound's spectrum to reference spectra to confirm identity.