Why would it be better to use lighter colored lights (like yellow) be used in a spectroscopy experiment, rather than a green colored light? If green is used instead of yellow, would absorbance values be higher or lower?

I don't understand :(

remember, darker colors absorb better, so since yellow is lighter than green, yellow will absorb less

Confused? That makes two of us. And I don't go with Fluffy's explanation either. It all depends upon the color of the solution you are measuring. Also, "lighter colored" doesn't mean anything either. That's a relative term. I understand the difference between light yellow and dark yellow but is light red lighter or darker than dark yellow? Who knows? Use the color wheel to determine the wavelength you need to use.

In a spectroscopy experiment, the color of light used can affect the results obtained. Let me explain why using lighter colored lights, such as yellow, might be better than using green colored light.

Spectroscopy measures the interaction between light and matter, specifically how different molecules absorb or emit light at different wavelengths. This interaction is influenced by the energy levels and electronic transitions of the molecules.

Now, different colors of light have different wavelengths and energy levels. Green light has a shorter wavelength and higher energy compared to yellow light. When light hits a sample, molecules in the sample can absorb some of the light energy, resulting in reduced transmitted light and subsequent measurement of absorbance.

Using a lighter colored light, like yellow, in a spectroscopy experiment can have several advantages. Firstly, yellow light has a longer wavelength and lower energy compared to green light. This lower energy can be more appropriate for certain types of molecules, which might interact more selectively with light of lower energy levels.

Additionally, using a lighter colored light can reduce interference from background noise. Light from sources such as the sun or artificial lighting can contain a broader range of wavelengths. Using a lighter color that falls outside this broader range can help minimize interference and provide more accurate measurements when isolating specific molecular absorption features.

Now, if green light is used instead of yellow light, the absorbance values can be expected to be higher. This is because green light has a higher energy level and shorter wavelength, which can excite a greater number of molecules and be more easily absorbed by them compared to yellow light. The higher energy of green light can lead to increased absorption and higher absorbance values.

In summary, using lighter colored lights, like yellow, in spectroscopy experiments can be advantageous for specific applications and samples. It can provide more selective and accurate measurements and minimize interference from background noise. If green light is used in place of yellow light, absorbance values are likely to be higher due to the higher energy of green light.