EXPERIMENT 11

QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF COPPER(II)

CONCENTRATION BY SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

DATA TREATMENT/ CALCULATIONS (20 pts)

1. Construct a calibration curve by plotting the absorbance, A, against concentration of the standard Cu(II)
solution, ppm Cu, for the given series of working standard solutions.
2. Solve for the equation of the “best fit” line, using y = mx + b
where: y = A = absorbance of the solution
m = slope of the line = ab = (absorptivity)*(path length)
x = c = concentration of the solution
b = y-intercept
3. Calculate the unknown sample concentration from absorbance data, using the established relationship
between and concentration.

GUIDES FOR DISCUSSION

1. What is the significance of the addition of excess ammonia to Cu (II) solutions? (10 pts)
2. Present a block-diagram for a single-beam UV-Vis instrument and explain the purpose of each component.
(10 pts)
3. What is the basis of qualitative and quantitative analysis in a UV-Vis spectrophotometry? What are the
advantages of the UV-Vis Spectrophotometry technique compared to other method of analysis. (10 pts)
4. What are the limitations of Beer-Lambert’s Law? (10 pts)
5. Why is it significant to scan over a wavelength range? Why is the wavelength of maximum absorption used
in the determination of the absorbance of the standard and sample solutions? (10 pts)
6. Why do we have to measure absorbance reading against reagent blank solutions? Describe a double-beam
UV-Vis equipment and explain its advantage over the single-beam set-up (10 pts)
7. What is the significance of the y-intercept of your calibration curve? Discuss its deviation from the
theoretical value. (5 pts)
8. Cite other analytical applications of spectrophotometry. (5 pts)
9. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the calculated parameters? Rationalize. (10 pts)

Chem 26.1: Introduction to Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory 2018

 Name:
Co-Worker:
Date Performed:
INSTRUCTOR’S COPY

EXPERIMENT 11
QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF COPPER(II)
CONCENTRATION BY SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

Absorption Spectrum
Wavelength at maximum absorption (λmax):

Calibration Curve
Concentration of working standard Cu(II) solution:

Volume of Working Concentration of

Absorbance
Standard Solution, mL Standard Cu(II), ppm
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00

Sample Analysis
Volume of stock sample solution:
Volume of aliquot from stock solution:
Volume of diluted unknown solution:

Trial Absorbance
1
2
3
Average

Chem 26.1: Introduction to Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory 2018

 Name:
Co-Worker:
Date Performed:
STUDENT’S COPY

EXPERIMENT 11
QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF COPPER(II)
CONCENTRATION BY SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

Absorption Spectrum
Wavelength at maximum absorption (λmax):

Calibration Curve
Concentration of working standard Cu(II) solution:

Volume of Working Concentration of

Absorbance
Standard Solution, mL Standard Cu(II), ppm
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00

Linear equation of the calibration curve:

Sample Analysis
Volume of stock sample solution:
Volume of aliquot from stock solution:
Volume of diluted unknown solution:

Concentration of stock
Trial Absorbance
sample Cu(II), ppm
1
2
3
Average

Instructor’s Signature: Date:

Chem 26.1: Introduction to Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory 2018

Chem 26.1: Introduction to Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory
2018