In UV-Vis spectroscopy, what does a peak in the absorption spectrum indicate?

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Q: In UV-Vis spectroscopy, what does a peak in the absorption spectrum indicate?

Solution: A peak in the absorption spectrum corresponds to a specific electronic transition of electrons within the molecule.

Steps: 5

Step 1: Understand that UV-Vis spectroscopy is a technique used to measure how much light a substance absorbs in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Step 2: Know that molecules have electrons that can move between different energy levels.
Step 3: When light hits a molecule, certain wavelengths (colors) of light can be absorbed if they match the energy needed for an electron to jump to a higher energy level.
Step 4: A peak in the absorption spectrum shows that a specific wavelength of light was absorbed by the molecule.
Step 5: This absorption corresponds to a specific electronic transition, meaning it indicates which electron moved to a higher energy level.