Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1/ (2014-2015) Page |1
ABSTRACT
Spectrophotometry deals with the interaction of radiation and matter. It is technique that is utilized to measure the transmittance or
absorbance properties of materials as a function of wavelength. Through spectrophotometry, the experiment aims to identify the
concentration of an unknown solution since absorbance is directly proportional to concentration. The experiment was composed of
two parts. The first part aims to create a calibration curve using five trials with solutions containing 2.00, 4.00, 6.00, 8.00, and
10.00mL of Cu(II) stock solution. Meanwhile, three trials of a solution with an unknown concentration was held under
spectrophotometry for the second part. The equation obtained from the first part of the experiment which is y = 0.001x was used to
acquire the unknown concentration of the solution. For the three trials, the acquired concentration is 360ppm. These values indicate
that the data acquired is precise. Faulty handling of the cuvette, instrumental errors, and improper solution preparation are the
possible sources of error in the experiment.
detected at 255nm. The dissociation constants of acids inputted. Starting from the standard solution with the
and bases can also be determined lowest concentration, the cuvette was filled with the
spectrophotometrically from graphing absorbance and solution to be measured. The cuvette was then again
wavelength at different pH values. Drugs can be handled on the edge to prevent smudges and water
quantitatively analyzed by making a solution of the drug droplets from rinsing were wiped to prevent
and measuring the absorbance at a specific wavelength. discrepancies in the data. After assuring that the cuvette
Chemical kinetics can also be studied through is clean and dry, the solution was scanned and the
spectrophotometry. This is done by measuring absorbance reading was recorded. The procedure was
absorbance changes based on UV radiation passing a then repeated until the standard with the highest
reaction cell. It is also applied in modern atomic theory concentration was scanned.
for the determination of certain molecular structures. It is
also used for the quantitative and qualitative To determine the Cu(II) concentration of the unknown
determination of both organic and inorganic compounds solution, the cuvette was filled with the unknown
(Skoog et al., 2010; pharmatutor.org n.d.). solution and scanned under the UV-Vis
spectrophotometer. The absorbance reading was then
2. Materials and Methods recorded.
Six solutions containing 0.00, 2.00, 4.00, 6.00, 8.00, 3. Results and Discussion
and 10.00 mL of Cu(II) stock solution were prepared for
spectrophotometry. The sample with 0.00mL of Cu(II) The values used for the data treatment are shown in
stock solution will be considered as reagent blank in (Table 2). The values were used to create a calibration
order to keep the measurements precise setting a base curve that will find the equation of the best fit line. Using
from which other measurements can be performed. this line, the concentration of the unknown solution can
Ammonia is also added to the Cu(II) solutions. This is be determined by measuring its absorbance.
done in order to forward the reaction between copper Table 2: Calibration Curve Values
and ammonia to form a copper-ammonia complex: Cu 2+ Volume of
+ 4NH3 -> [Cu(NH3)4]2+ This complex gives a more Concentration of
Working
intense color than a standard copper solution which Standard Cu(II) Absorbance
allows the spectrophotometer to examine it more Standard ppm
effectively. Solution
2.00 100 .014
To determine the analytical wavelength, a UV-Vis 4.00 200 .028
spectrophotometer was utilized. A cuvette was filled with 6.00 300 .041
the standard solution containing the highest 8.00 400 .054
concentration or the solution containing 10mL of Cu(II) 10.00 500 .070
stock solution. The cuvette was only held at the tip to
prevent smudges that may give false light absorbance
Using the equation y = mx + b, absorbance could be
readings. The cuvette must also be rinsed properly with
determined by equating it to y. This is determined by the
distilled water and the solution before measurement to
spectrophotometer. Meanwhile, x is equivalent to the
avoid discrepancies in data brought by dirt. After rinsing,
concentration of the solution, m is equal to the
the cuvette must be wiped gently using a tissue since
absorptivity, and b would be the y-intercept. Using
water droplets may also cause a deviation in the data.
Microsoft Excel, the calibration curve is shown as seen in
Once the cuvette is clean and dry, it is inseted gently
(Figure 1) (refer to Appendix 2). In the equation, y =
into the cuvette holder. The machine was then closed to
0.0001x thus, the absorbance is equal to 0.0001.
prevent outside light from entering. The
Moreover, since there is no y-intercept in the data
spectrophotometer was then set to Spectrum Mode
acquired, it signifies that there is no deviation from the
where the wavelength range was set from 300nm to
theoretical value. In the y-intercept, there is no
700nm and then scanned. The peak displayed by the
concentration of Cu(II) because x = zero. Theoretically,
spectrophotometer was then recorded as it will function
the absorbance at this point would be zero because there
as the analytical wavelength.
is no colored solution due to the lack of copper which
means that no light should be absorbed due to the
To prepare the calibration curve, the absorbance of
solution being colorless. The presence of a y-intercept
the solutions containing 2.00, 4.00, 6.00, 8.00, and
even after negating the effecting of the cell and the
10.00mL Cu(II) stock solution were measured using the
ammonia solution on the values of absorbance signals
UV-vis spectrophotometer. A reagent blank was again
that something else is absorbing light due to the
used to precisely measure the absorbance of the working
presence of an absorbance value even at zero ppm
standards. Only a single cuvette was used for both the
concentration. In this case, a y-intercept would deviate
reagent blank and working standard to hold it constant
from the theoretical value by increasing the values of
since difference in material used and thickness of the
absorbance. The data acquired were done under the
material may affect the data (New Mexico State
wavelength of maximum absorption of 541nm.
University, 2006). The spectrophotometer was set to Go
to WL where the obtained analytical wavelength was Table 3: Absorbance of the unknown concentration
All of the three trials for the solution containing the To increase the accuracy of the results, it is
unknown concentration had an absorbance of 0.036. recommended to address the systematic errors. During
Replacing y with 0.036 in the equation y=0.0001x, the the testing cell must be handled properly and with
concentration of the unknown sample would be 360ppm. utmost care to prevent unwanted errors. The cell must
Since all of the trials had the same absorbance values, it also be throughly washed to prevent contamination and
can be inferred that the data acquired is precise. dilution from affecting the concentration of the sample.
The curve must be constructed as linear as possible.
Possibles sources of errors for this experiment would
When testing standardized solutions for the construction
be random, systematic and gross. Random errors are
of the calibration curve, some tests may be repeated to
often unavoidable. They result from the usage of
find the most accurate result to reduce any deviations in
glassware and may affect the precision of the results.
the linear graph. Any instrument error may be addressed
Systematic errors could occur from method or
through proper inspection of the spectrophotometer
instrument. The absorbance values obtained from the
before the performance of the experiment. In addition, it
spectrophotometer may increase if the reaction cell was
is important that all solutions used for the construction of
held improperly. This is because of the fingerprints may
the calibration curve are properly prepared and
be left in the cell. These fingerprints may absorb light
uncontaminated during solution preparation to ensure
from the spectrophotometer which increases absorbance
that the obtained absorbance values are accurate.
value. Since the same cell was used for all tests in this
experiment, it is important that it is washed with the 5. References
solution about to be tested throughly. This is done to
ensure that the correct concentration of the Cu(II) is “Applications of Absorption Spectroscopy.”
being analyzed otherwise the absorbance value may Pharmatutor.org. n.d. Web. 7 May 2015.
increase or decrease depending on the contaminated
concentration. The reagent blank test must be performed Blum P., 1997. Reflectance Spectrophotometry and
in order to negate the effects of the cell and the Colorimetry. PP Handbook.
ammonia solution on absorbance otherwise the
absorbance values will increase. Instrumental errors may Brown T.. 2012. Chemistry, The Central Science. Pearson
occur in this experiment from the spectrophotometer. Education, Inc.
Any stray light in the spectrophotometer will decrease Crouch S,. Holler F. J., Skoog D., West D., 2014.
the absorbance value. This is due to the additional Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry. Cengage Learning.
presence of unabsorbed light. The cell used for analysis 9th edition.
must be standardized because a wider cell results in a
longer path length. The longer path length will increase Crouch, S, Holler, F. Fundamentals of Analytical
absorbance values, and the graph may deviate from its Chemistry. n.p: Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.
linear form. The spectrophotometer must also be
inspected before use to ensure it is still effective for David, G. Analytical Chemistry. India: Universities Press
analysis. Gross errors can result from contaminated (India) Private Limited, 2001. Print.
glassware especially during solution preparation.
Unwanted reagents may enter the prepared stock Kazekevich Y., 2010. Analytical Chemistry. Seton Hall
solutions and affect the concentration of copper which University.
will affect the absorbance value. This will greatly affect
the construction of the calibration curve which will affect Petrucci R., 2010. General Chemistry – Principles and
the calculations for the concentration of the unknown Modern Applications. 10th Edition. Pearson Canada, Inc.
sample. All concentrations must be uncontaminated
before testing to prevent such errors from occurring. Scott A., 2007. Chemistry: The Practical Science.
4. Conclusion and Recommendations Cengage Learning, 10th Edition.
The quantitative analysis of the copper solution via Sinvasankar, B. Engineering Chemistry. New Delhi, Tata
spectrophotometry was successful. An accurate McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, 2008. Print.
calibration curve was constructed with the wavelength at
maximum absorption at 541 nm. The graph was nearly Slowinski E., Wolsey W., and Rossi R,, 2011. Chemical
completely linear which allows for an accurate equation Principles In The Laboratory. Brooks/Cole. 10th edition.
of the line which was found at y = 0.0001x. Based on the
absorbance value of 0.036, the calculated concentration
Absorbance
0.08
0.07
f(x) = 0x - 0
0.06
R² = 1
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550
Appendix C: Calculations
1st Trial:
y = 0.036
0.036 = 0.0001x
x = 0.036/0.0001
x = 360 ppm
2nd Trial:
y = 0.036
0.036 = 0.0001x
x = 0.036/0.0001
x = 360 ppm
3rd Trial:
y = 0.036
0.036 = 0.0001x
x = 0.036/0.0001
x = 360 ppm
Average Concentration:
(360 + 360 + 360)/3 = 360 ppm