Biology / Unit 3 Bio 0589 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Absorption Spectrum
Captions available
The idea
An absorption spectrum is the specific pattern of wavelengths a pigment absorbs, measured with a spectrophotometer and unique to each pigment type.
In practice
Chlorophyll a's absorption spectrum peaks in the blue and red wavelengths and dips sharply in the green, matching the color it reflects.
Where people slip
An absorption spectrum identifies a pigment by its wavelength pattern, not by the pigment's visible color alone.
Your place on the trail
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