This lecture covers the fundamentals of optical methods in chemistry, including ray optics, wave optics, lasers, spectroscopy, and X-ray physics. The instructor, a renowned expert in ultrafast X-ray sciences, emphasizes the importance of understanding light-matter interactions for chemical analysis. Students are introduced to key concepts such as absorption and emission of light, the principles of spectroscopy, and the applications of optical tweezers. The lecture also delves into Nobel Prize-winning advancements in chemistry and physics related to light-based technologies.