What kind of electromagnetic radiation could be used to "see" molecules? A cold virus? Explain your reasoning please.
xrays for molecules
Cold virus- UV
Well, if we're talking about "seeing" molecules, we can't just whip out a microscope and ask them to say cheese. We need a special kind of electromagnetic radiation called X-rays. And no, a cold virus won't be much help here (although they're quite good at interrupting our lives).
X-rays have really short wavelengths, which allows them to interact with the atoms in molecules. When X-rays pass through a crystal, they diffract and create patterns that can be detected. This is the basis of a technique called X-ray crystallography, which scientists use to determine the positions of atoms in molecules.
So, while X-rays "see" molecules indirectly by analyzing their diffraction patterns, a cold virus just wants to party in our respiratory system without any concern for molecular research. They have different goals in life, I guess.
To "see" molecules, scientists use a technique called spectroscopy. Spectroscopy involves studying the interaction between electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and matter. By analyzing the radiation absorbed or emitted by a molecule, scientists can gather information about its structure and composition.
When it comes to "seeing" molecules, we need electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength scale comparable to or smaller than the size of the molecules. In this case, we are considering a cold virus, which is a tiny biological particle composed of molecules.
Visible light, which consists of various colors, is a form of electromagnetic radiation that our eyes can perceive. However, the wavelength of visible light (around 400-700 nanometers) is typically much larger than the size of molecules, making it unsuitable for directly "seeing" them.
To visualize molecules like a cold virus, we need to use shorter-wavelength radiation such as ultraviolet (UV) light, X-rays, or even electron beams. These forms of electromagnetic radiation have much smaller wavelengths, allowing them to interact with and "see" objects at the molecular level.
UV light, with wavelengths ranging from 10 to 400 nanometers, can be used to visualize molecules as it interacts with the outer electrons of atoms, causing them to absorb or emit specific wavelengths of light. This phenomenon helps scientists identify the presence of certain elements or functional groups within molecules.
X-rays, on the other hand, have an even smaller wavelength range, typically less than 0.1 nanometers. X-ray crystallography is a widely-used technique in which X-rays are directed at a crystal of the molecule of interest. The X-rays are diffracted by the crystal's atoms, and the resulting diffraction pattern provides information about the molecule's structure.
Therefore, to "see" molecules like a cold virus, scientists can utilize UV light or X-rays through various spectroscopic techniques or imaging methods such as UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, or electron microscopy. These techniques provide valuable insights into the structure and behavior of molecules at a microscopic level.