ScienceJuly 15, 2026

spectrometry

/spekˈtrɒmɪtri/

Definition

An analytical technique used to measure and identify the chemical composition of substances by analyzing their interaction with matter.

Etymology

The word is a hybrid derived from the Latin 'spectrum' (appearance/image) and the Greek 'metron' (measure). It entered scientific English in the 19th century to describe methods of measuring properties of light or chemical compositions.

In the news

In the article, the term is used to describe the work of an expert studying organic compounds within the meteorite to understand its chemical makeup and potential role in the origins of life.

Meteorite that crashed in New Jersey may hold clues to how life began

Read the full article ↗

swiowanewssource.com

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