These Spectra Look Mighty Similar

These Spectra Look Mighty Similar
spectroscopy-memes, chemistry-memes, physics-memes, ir-absorption-memes, raman-memes | ScienceHumor.io

Spectroscopy nerds unite! The top shows IR absorption where a molecule gets whacked with a rake (photon) and absorbs that energy. The bottom shows skateboarders demonstrating Stokes Raman scattering—where light hits a molecule, gets scattered, and loses some energy in the process.

Both techniques measure vibrational energy levels, just through different mechanisms. It's like ordering pizza vs. making pasta—different processes, same result: you still end up with delicious food... I mean, valuable molecular data!

The equations (ΔE = hν₀) show energy conservation at work. Next time you step on a rake or wipe out skateboarding, just tell everyone you're demonstrating advanced spectroscopy principles!

More Like This