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    UV-Vis Spectroscopy Lab

    Uploaded by

    Laura Felosak

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    UV-Vis Spectroscopy Lab

    Uploaded by

    Laura Felosak
    5 views3 pages

    Original Title

    UV-Vis Spectroscopy Lab_

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    5 views3 pages

    UV-Vis Spectroscopy Lab

    Uploaded by

    Laura Felosak

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    UV-Vis Spectroscopy Lab Name:

    What is a UV-Vis spectrometer?


    A UV spectrometer uses light in the UV range of wavelength between
    200 – 400nm to measure how much light a sample absorbs or reflects,
    and to determine the concentrations of elements in the sample. A
    spectrometer measures the degree to which a solution absorbs and
    transmits different wavelengths of light. Light absorbance, A, is unitless
    while the light that is transmitted, %T, through a solution is measured
    as a percentage.Today, you will learn how to calibrate and work a
    spectrometer to analyze the light absorbed by several solutions.

    Objectives:
    Learn to calibrate and use a spectrometer
    Explain trends in light absorbance and transmittance
    Determine trends in how metal ions absorb and transmit light

    Calibrating your Spectrometer - use the icon key to the right to help
    you.
    1. Open the spectrometry application.
    2. Select ANALYZE SOLUTION from the menu at the top.
    3. Select CALIBRATE DARK from the menu at the bottom of the screen.
    The spectrometer will turn off light sources to perform a calibration.
    Cover the sample well with your finger to block any ambient light
    from entering the detector. A check mark will appear when the
    calibration is complete.
    4. Fill a cuvette 3/4 full with water to use for the reference calibration.
    Handle the cuvette on the ribbed sides and wipe the smooth sides clean with a lint free
    cloth. Place the cuvette into the spectrometer so that a clear side is facing the white
    light source icon.
    5. Select CALIBRATE REFERENCE from the menu at the bottom. A check mark will appear
    when the calibration is complete.

    Data Collection
    6. Fill a cuvette 3/4 full with copper (II) chloride.
    7. Using a lint free cloth clean the smooth sides of the cuvette with the first compound.
    Place the cuvette into the sample well and select START RECORDING in the lower left of
    the screen. The absorbance spectrum for the solution will appear.
    8. In the tools slide-out adjust the smoothing and number of scans to average.
    UV-Vis Spectroscopy Lab Name:

    9. Record the colors of light that are absorbed by the sample in Table 2
    10. Click on the y-axis to measure sample TRANSMITTANCE.
    11. Record the colors of light that are transmitted by the sample in Table 2.
    12. Select STOP RECORDING when you are satisfied with the result.
    13. Rinse your cuvette with water
    14. Repeat steps 6-13 with remaining compounds..

    Table 1: Cations in compounds and their electron configurations


    Compound CuCl2 CuSO4 MnO4- Al2(SO4)3 ZnCl2 FeCl3 MgSO4

    Metal Cu2+ Cu2+ Mn4+ Al3+ Zn2+ Fe3+ Mg2+


    Cation

    Electron
    configuratio
    n of cation

    Table 2: Absorbance and Transmittance of compound solutions


    Compound Color of Solution Color(s) of light Color(s) of light
    ABSORBED TRANSMITTED

    CuCl2

    CuSO4

    MnO4-

    Al2(SO4)3

    ZnCl2

    FeCl3

    MgSO4
    UV-Vis Spectroscopy Lab Name:

    Analysis Questions:

    The color wheel to the right may help you with


    questions 1 and 2.
    1. What is the relationship between the color of a
    solution and the peak wavelength of light that it
    absorbs?

    2. What is the relationship between the color of a solution and the wavelength
    of light that it transmits?

    3. Compare your color data with the electron configurations of the metal
    cations in each solution. What trends do you notice?

    ****Keep this lab packet! You will attach it to your next graded Knowledge and
    Understanding activity.******

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