X-ray absorption spectroscopy

X-ray absorption spectroscopy is like using a special camera to take a picture of things that are too small for us to see with our eyes. But instead of using light to take the picture, we use something called x-rays, which are kind of like super strong light that can pass through things.

When we take this picture, we can see all the tiny particles inside of the thing we're looking at. Each type of particle absorbs the x-rays in a different way, so we can figure out what it's made of based on how it looks in the picture.

Scientists use x-ray absorption spectroscopy to help them figure out what things like rocks, metals, and even living things are made of. This helps us learn more about the world around us and how it works!