Final answer:
The molar absorptivity of a compound depends on the intensity of the incident radiation, the length of the light path, and the quantum efficiency of energy emitted. It is a measure of how strongly the compound absorbs light at a specific wavelength.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molar absorptivity of a compound is a measure of how strongly the compound absorbs light at a specific wavelength. It depends on factors such as the intensity of the incident radiation, the length of the light path through the sample, and the quantum efficiency of energy emitted. Molar absorptivity is typically measured in units of L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹.
For example, if the molar absorptivity of a compound at a specific wavelength is known to be 18,000 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, and the absorbance of the compound is measured to be 1.0 at that wavelength, the concentration of the sample can be calculated using an equation and found to be 5.6 x 10⁻⁵ M.