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Soft X-ray emission spectroscopy is an old experimental technique that has seen a strong revival since the advent of new high brilliance soft X-ray sources in the shape of synchrotrons.  This thesis covers a range of applications where soft x-ray techniques have been applied. I have looked at fluorescence yield from doubly excited helium in field free conditions as well as in the presence of weak electric and magnetic fields. Using soft X-ray emission spectroscopy (SXES) I have explored scattering mechanisms in molecular systems. Quenching of symmetry breaking transitions by detuning of the excitation energy was observed in CO₂. Bond-length dependence was seen for symmetry breaking transitions in a series of hydrocarbons. Dissociation dynamics was explored in OCS and HCl. I have also applied SXES to liquid water exploring the properties of hydrogen bonding.  Buried layers of AlAs under 100 Å GaAs(100) was studied and thickness dependence and interface effects observed. The technique was also used to study the electronic structure of yttrium and vanadium hydrides. dd-excitations and accompanying spin flip excitations was observed in Cu M resonant x-ray Raman emission from Sr₂CuO₂Cl₂.