Editing Atomic spectroscopy (section)

{{short description|Study of electromagnetic radiation absorbed/emitted by atoms}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2008}}

In [[physics]], '''atomic spectroscopy''' is the study of the [[electromagnetic radiation]] absorbed and emitted by [[atom]]s. Since unique [[Chemical element|elements]] have unique [[emission spectra]], atomic spectroscopy is applied for determination of elemental compositions. It can be divided by atomization source or by the type of [[spectroscopy]] used.  In the latter case, the main division is between [[Optical spectrometer|optical]] and [[mass spectrometry]].  Mass spectrometry generally gives significantly better analytical performance, but is also significantly more complex.  This complexity translates into higher purchase costs, higher operational costs, more operator training, and a greater number of components that can potentially fail.  Because optical spectroscopy is often less expensive and has performance adequate for many tasks, it is far more common.{{Citation needed|date=June 2013}} Atomic [[Absorption spectroscopy|absorption spectrometers]] are one of the most commonly sold and used analytical devices.