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H3 Spectroscopic Techniques (9813)

H3 Chemistry 9813 molecular-orbital, UV/visible, infrared, NMR and mass-spectrometry lessons and practice for all 39 official spectroscopy leaves.

  • H3 Chemistry 9813
  • 39 lessons
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Follow the lesson route in order when this topic is new. During revision, start with the topic check and return to the exact lesson it identifies.

How the ideas connect

  1. Molecular structure
  2. Interaction with radiation
  3. Spectrum evidence
  4. Combined identification

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Lesson route

01

1.1 Molecular orbitals and foundations

  1. 011.1 a(i): Distinguish atomic and molecular orbitalsDistinguish atomic and molecular orbitals.
  2. 021.1 a(ii): Classify bonding, antibonding and nonbonding orbitalsClassify bonding, antibonding and nonbonding orbitals.
  3. 031.1 a(iii): Distinguish molecular orbitals with sigma and pi symmetryDistinguish molecular orbitals with sigma and pi symmetry.
  4. 041.1 b: Explain discrete molecular-orbital energy levelsExplain discrete molecular-orbital energy levels.
  5. 051.1 c(i): Apply LCAO to homonuclear diatomic moleculesApply LCAO to homonuclear diatomic molecules.
  6. 061.1 c(ii): Apply LCAO to benzene and linear polyenesApply LCAO to benzene and linear polyenes.
  7. 071.1 d(i): Construct and interpret diatomic MO diagrams, including HOMO and LUMOConstruct and interpret diatomic MO diagrams, including HOMO and LUMO.
  8. 081.1 d(ii): Construct and interpret pi-MO diagrams for benzene and polyenesConstruct and interpret pi-MO diagrams for benzene and polyenes.
  9. 091.1 e(i): Relate electromagnetic radiation, photons and E = hfRelate electromagnetic radiation, photons and E = hf.
  10. 101.1 e(ii): Compare electronic, vibrational, rotational and nuclear energy quantisationCompare electronic, vibrational, rotational and nuclear energy quantisation.
  11. 111.1 e(iii): Explain photon absorption and emission as energy-level transitionsExplain photon absorption and emission as energy-level transitions.
02

1.2 Ultraviolet and visible

  1. 121.2 a: Relate electronic transitions and chromophores to UV/visible absorptionRelate electronic transitions and chromophores to UV/visible absorption.
  2. 131.2 b: Predict UV/visible absorption from a chromophorePredict UV/visible absorption from a chromophore.
  3. 141.2 c: Explain conjugation, energy gaps and longer-wavelength absorptionExplain conjugation, energy gaps and longer-wavelength absorption.
  4. 151.2 d: Use the Beer–Lambert law in concentration calculationsUse the Beer–Lambert law in concentration calculations.
  5. 161.2 e: Plan quantitative analysis using UV/visible spectroscopyPlan quantitative analysis using UV/visible spectroscopy.
03

1.3 Infrared

  1. 171.3 a(i): Describe stretching vibrationsDescribe stretching vibrations.
  2. 181.3 a(ii): Describe bending vibrationsDescribe bending vibrations.
  3. 191.3 b: Predict IR absorption count and vibrations for simple moleculesPredict IR absorption count and vibrations for simple molecules.
  4. 201.3 c: Identify characteristic functional-group IR absorptionsIdentify characteristic functional-group IR absorptions.
  5. 211.3 d: Suggest structures from IR spectraSuggest structures from IR spectra.
  6. 221.3 e: Predict characteristic IR absorptions from structurePredict characteristic IR absorptions from structure.
  7. 231.3 f: Relate polyatomic-gas IR absorption to the greenhouse effectRelate polyatomic-gas IR absorption to the greenhouse effect.
04

1.4 Nuclear magnetic resonance

  1. 241.4 a(i): Explain nuclear spinExplain nuclear spin.
  2. 251.4 a(ii): Explain energy absorption in NMRExplain energy absorption in NMR.
  3. 261.4 b(i): Interpret chemical shiftInterpret chemical shift.
  4. 271.4 b(ii): Account for deuterated solvents and labile protonsAccount for deuterated solvents and labile protons.
  5. 281.4 b(iii): Determine proton equivalence and signal countDetermine proton equivalence and signal count.
  6. 291.4 b(iv): Use peak integration to count protonsUse peak integration to count protons.
  7. 301.4 b(v): Interpret first-order spin–spin splitting and multiplicityInterpret first-order spin–spin splitting and multiplicity.
  8. 311.4 c: Use the delta scale and TMS referenceUse the delta scale and TMS reference.
  9. 321.4 d(i): Explain electronegativity and inductive effects on shieldingExplain electronegativity and inductive effects on shielding.
  10. 331.4 d(ii): Explain anisotropic effects on chemical shiftExplain anisotropic effects on chemical shift.
  11. 341.4 d(iii): Explain hydrogen-bonding effects on chemical shiftExplain hydrogen-bonding effects on chemical shift.
05

1.5 Mass spectrometry

  1. 351.5 a(i): Explain mass-spectrometric ionisation and fragmentationExplain mass-spectrometric ionisation and fragmentation.
  2. 361.5 a(ii): Interpret mass-to-charge ratioInterpret mass-to-charge ratio.
  3. 371.5 b(i): Identify a molecular-ion peakIdentify a molecular-ion peak.
  4. 381.5 b(ii): Interpret M+1, M+2 and M+4 isotope patternsInterpret M+1, M+2 and M+4 isotope patterns.
  5. 391.5 b(iii): Suggest major fragment ions without rearrangementSuggest major fragment ions without rearrangement.

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Practice and repair

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Key ideas and reference

Use this concise H3 Spectroscopic Techniques (9813) checklist for orientation. Open a linked lesson for definitions, equations, methods and worked examples.

  • Distinguish atomic and molecular orbitals.
  • Relate electronic transitions and chromophores to UV/visible absorption.
  • Describe stretching vibrations.
  • Explain nuclear spin.
  • Explain mass-spectrometric ionisation and fragmentation.
  • Suggest major fragment ions without rearrangement.
Course coverage and review details

H3 Spectroscopic Techniques (9813) is presented within H3 Chemistry 9813.

Qualification-specific practice evidence remains separate and is never inferred from a page visit.

Reviewed 2026-08-02

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