Spectrophotometer: Parts of The System
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IraqiSpectrophotometer: Parts of The System
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IraqiSpectrophotometer
A spectrophotometer is an electromechanical device that can optically
determines the absorbance or transmission of characteristic wavelengths of
radiant energy (light) by a chemical species in solution.
According to the Beer- Lambert law, the amount of light absorbed at these
wavelengths is directly proportional to the concentration of the chemical species.
As light passes through a compound in solution the intensity is reduced. The
longer the path length the more light is absorbed. Also, the higher the
concentration of compound in solution the more light is absorbed. Absorbance is
proportional to path length and the concentration. When light is absorbed by a
sample, the radiant power or intensity of the light beam decreases.
Parts of the System:
All spectrophotometers have the following fundamental parts:
1. A light source.
2. The dispersion devices (a prism or grating )
3. Focusing devices (lenses, slits, mirrors)
4. A device for holding the sample (cuvettes).
5. A photoelectric cell for measuring light intensity (detectors).
Fig.(1) spectrophotometer device
System Diagram
Fig.(2) Spectrometer Block Diagram
The Principle Work of the System
Turn on the system and take read
A. Turn on the spectrophotometer (left-hand knob on the front of the
instrument and allow it to warm up for at least 15 min.
B. Adjust the wavelength to the appropriate value. The knob on the right top
of the instrument controls the wavelength, which is indicated at the left of
the digital display.
C. With the sample holder empty and the lid closed, adjust the Zero Adjust
Knob (A) until the instrument reads 0% on the transmittance scale. Be sure
that the display function is set to transmittance, if not push the "Mode"
button until the display is set to transmittance.
D. Carefully insert the blank tube (cuvette) into the sample holder and
sample cuvette then close the cover. Be sure you are using the blank
cuvette. The cuvette's outside surface must be dry and clean, without
fingerprints Use a Kim wipe to clean the cuvette before inserting.
E. Adjust the 100% Adjust Knob (B), on the right front of the instrument,
until the display reads 100% on the transmittance scale.
F. Immediately push to sample cuvette as described in step (D) above. Do
not change any instrument setting! Switch the display to read absorbance
G. Record the value indicated on the absorbance scale.
H. Repeat this procedure for additional cuvettes or wavelengths as required.
Always adjust the blank transmittance to 100% before inserting and reading
a new set of cuvettes.
Home work
1- Give the relationship between absorbance and transmittance.
2- What is the specification of light in the system?
3- What is the purpose of detector?
4- Why the system uses monochromator?
5- Give two type of cuvette