Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)

Term: Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)Definition: A technique used to identify and analyze the chemical composition of materials by measuring the absorption of infrared light at different wavelengths.Phonetic Pronunciation: (in-fruh-RED spek-TROS-kuh-pee)Origin: The term "infrared" comes from the Latin "infra," meaning "below," and "red," referring to the position of infrared light just below the red end of the visible spectrum. "Spectroscopy" derives from the Greek words "spektros," meaning "spectrum," and "skopein," meaning "to look at," reflecting the technique's focus on examining spectral data.Significance in Asbestos Context: Infrared spectroscopy is crucial in asbestos analysis because it can non-destructively identify asbestos fibers in various materials, aiding in the assessment of asbestos exposure risks and supporting legal claims by providing scientific evidence of asbestos presence.Example Sentence: Infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of asbestos in the insulation material, providing critical evidence in the plaintiff's lawsuit against the manufacturer.Related Terms: Asbestos Identification, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)Notes: - Infrared spectroscopy can be used in conjunction with other analytical techniques for more comprehensive asbestos analysis. - The technique is non-destructive, meaning the sample can be used for further testing if needed. - It is important to use properly calibrated equipment to ensure accurate results in asbestos identification.