Spectroscopy vs. Chromatography — What's the Difference?

Technique for analyzing light's interaction with matter.

Essential in drug testing.

Determines molecular structures.

Method for separating mixture components.

Measures spectral fingerprints.

Utilizes stationary and mobile phases.

Used in identifying substances.

Conducts environmental analysis.

Analyzes astronomical objects.

Analyzes complex biological samples.

Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation as a function of the wavelength or frequency of the radiation. In simpler terms, spectroscopy is the precise study of color as generalized from visible light to all bands of the electromagnetic spectrum; indeed, historically, spectroscopy originated as the study of the wavelength dependence of the absorption by gas phase matter of visible light dispersed by a prism.

Chromatography is a laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture. The mixture is dissolved in a fluid (gas or solvent) called the mobile phase, which carries it through a system (a column, a capillary tube, a plate, or a sheet) on which is fixed a material called the stationary phase.

The study of spectra, especially experimental observation of optical spectra or mass spectra, to determine the properties of their source.

Any of various techniques for the separation of complex mixtures that rely on the differential affinities of substances for a mobile (gas or liquid) medium and for a stationary adsorbing (liquid or solid) medium through which they pass, such as paper, gelatin, or silica.

A variety or instance of such study.

(analytical chemistry) Any of various techniques for the qualitative or quantitative separation of the components of mixtures of compounds; all characterised by the use of a mobile phase (gas or liquid) moving relative to a stationary phase (liquid or solid) – the differences between the rates of migration of the compounds between the two phases effects the separation.

(uncountable) The scientific study of spectra.

A treatise on colors

The use of spectrometers in chemical analysis.

An analytical and preparative technique for separating substances by differences in their selective adsorption to solids, by passing a liquid over the solid, to which the substances to be separated have usually been adsorbed in a preliminary step. The major variations are column chromatography, in which the substances to be separated are adsorbed to a column with any of a wide variety of adsorbing solids in powdered or granulated form; paper chromatography, in which the solids are applied as a spot at one end of a strip of absorbent paper (such as filter paper), and the liquid is percolated through the paper by capillary action; and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which is similar to paper chromatography, but the adsorbent material is, instead of paper, a thin layer of finely powdered material, such as cellulose or silica, on a backing of glass or plastic, called a TLC plate. A modern version of column chromatography is high-performance liquid chromatography, usually referred to as HPLC.

The art and science dealing with the use of a spectroscope, and the production and analysis of spectra; the action of using a spectroscope.

A process used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in absorbency

The use of spectroscopes to analyze spectra

Spectroscopy is a technique that analyzes how light interacts with matter to identify substances and their structures.

Yes, they are often used in conjunction to separate, identify, and analyze substances in complex mixtures.

Spectroscopy identifies and analyzes substances through light interactions, while chromatography separates mixtures into their components for analysis.

Chromatography is a method used to separate the components of a mixture based on their differential movement through stationary and mobile phases.

It's used in chemical analysis, materials science, and studying the composition of astronomical objects.

It relies on the differential partitioning of mixture components between stationary and mobile phases.

It's crucial for ensuring the purity and safety of pharmaceutical products.

Yes, it's essential for determining the composition and properties of astronomical objects.

The choice depends on the analysis goal, whether it's identifying substances (spectroscopy) or separating and analyzing mixture components (chromatography).

Yes, it can purify substances by separating them from mixtures.

It's widely used in biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, environmental analysis, and quality control.

It's based on the specific wavelengths of light absorbed, emitted, or scattered by different substances.

It's a unique pattern of light absorption or emission that can identify specific substances.

It's used to detect and quantify pollutants in environmental samples.

Yes, techniques like NMR spectroscopy can provide detailed molecular structure information.