Ensuring Reliability June 2013 Paul Beaumont
Colorimetry
[Evaluating experimental procedures p. 50] Learners should be able to…: … identify sources of error in measurements and observations identify and comment on the reliability of results ...
Skills of scientific experimentation, investigation and enquiry Evaluating (p 8) Learners should be able to…: … identify sources of error in measurements and observations identify and comment on the reliability of results ...
[Laboratory Techniques p. 21] Use a colorimeter or spectrophotometer to calibrate a known solution and determine an unknown.
Colorimetry How ‘good’ is my colorimeter? Is it equally ‘good’ at all wavelengths? Do all the colorimeters in my department give me the same answer?
The Samples
The Samples %T LEE Filters – range of filters 71 Neutral density options 50% transmission = 0.30 absorbance [A = 2 - log (%T)] %T 71 50 25 12.5 6.25
Beam Direction R = Reference T = Test Set filter to 440 nm Empty cuvette as blank Zero (R!) colorimeter Measure (T!) & record absorbance Add a ND filter - record absorbance 6. Repeat with extra ND filters 7. Plot data Repeat at 520 nm R = Reference T = Test