What does a spectrometer do?

A spectrometer is an analytical instrument that is primarily used to spread light into its different colors, which is known as spectrometry. By dividing light into its component wavelengths or frequencies, a spectrometer allows for the analysis of the intensity of different colors, providing valuable information about the materials that the light interacts with. This can be crucial in various fields including chemistry, physics, and environmental science where understanding the spectral composition of light can help identify substances and their concentrations.

The ability to analyze light in this way plays a significant role in qualitative and quantitative analysis, particularly for identifying chemical compounds based on their characteristic spectral signatures. By interpreting the data collected by the spectrometer, scientists can gain insights into the composition and behavior of materials, making it an essential tool in laboratory settings.

The other options describe different types of measurements that a spectrometer does not perform. Specifically, measuring temperature is typically done with thermometers, analyzing chemical properties usually requires other forms of chemical analysis, and sound frequency measurement is carried out using devices like oscilloscopes or frequency analyzers. Thus, the primary function of a spectrometer is accurately captured in the ability to spread light into its different colors.