SPECTROPHOTOMETER Dr. Maha Al-Sedik
Principle: The solutions of many compounds have characteristic colors. The intensity of such a color is proportional to the concentration of the compound. Light is absorbed by dissolved substances. The concentration of the substance is directly proportional to the amount of light absorbed.
Beer’ s law Beer’s Law talks about the relationship between color and concentration. Beer’s Law states that the absorbance of light by a solution is directly proportional to concentration or inversely proportional to light transmitted within limits.
A α b x c A : absorbance. Α : directly proportional. B : light path in cm. C : concentration of substance. A =© x b x c
If we suppose that I have two solution one with known concentration we will name it standard (s). The second with unknown concentration and we will name it unknown (u). As = © x bs x cs Au = © x bu x cu ©= As /bs x cs ©= Au /bu x cu As /bs x cs=Au /bu x cu
B ….light path in cm is constant As / cs = Au / cu cu = Au x cs / As
Question no 1 : From the next standard curve, if the absorbance is 0.35 or 0.55, the concentration will be or
Question no 2 : If the absorbance of standard is 0.5, the absorbance of unknown is o.4, and the concentration of standard is 50 ml / dl. Calculate the concentration of the unknown.
Question no 2 : If the absorbance of standard is 0.24, the absorbance of unknown is 0.3, and the concentration of standard is 120 ml / dl. Calculate the concentration of the unknown.
Beer’ s law is followed only if the following conditions are met : The light must be monochromatic. The solute concentration is within given limits. A chemical reaction does not occur between the molecule of interest and another solute.
Components of spectrophotometer: Question?
Cleaning of the cuvet: Cleaned in solution of concentrated HCL : water : ethanol = 1 :3 :4
General rules and precautions in spectrophotometer: A blank should be used for each set of determinations. Cuvet should be clean, clear and dry. For each size of cuvet there is a specified minimum volume. The solution must be free of air. Cuvet must be put with the same side facing light every time. Cuvet must be covered before each reading.