EXPERIMENT NO.

1
TO DETERMINE λmax OF GIVEN SAMPLE BY
SPECTROPHOTOMETER

1.1 THEORY:
1.1 1 Wavelength:
Wavelength is defined as the distance between two successive crests
or troughs of wave.
This "visible light" corresponds to a wavelength range of 400 - 700
nanometers (nm) and a colour range of violet through red. The human
eye is not capable of seeing radiation with wavelengths outside the
visible spectrum. The visible colors from shortest to longest
wavelength are: violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.
1.1.2 Spectroscopy:
The study of molecular structure of any compound through absorbance, transmitting and scattering of
light is called spectroscopy.
 Absorbance:
Excitation of electrons i.e transition of electrons from lower energy level to higher energy level.
 Transmission:
De-excitation of electrons i.e transition of electrons from higher energy level to lower energy level.
1.1.3 Spectrophotometer:
A device which is used to measure absorbance, transmittance in terms of wavelength of light.
The most common spectrophotometers are used in the UV and visible regions of spectrum, and some
of these instruments also operate into the near infrared region as well.

Type of electromagnetic waves Wavelength (nm)

UV 200-400
Visible 400-700
Infrared Above 700
1.1.4 Parts of spectrophotometer:
 Spectrometer:
It allows light of specific wavelength to pass.
 Photometer:
It detects the light that is absorbed or transmitted by sample.
1.1.5 Working of spectrophotometer:
 The light source shines through the sample.
  The sample absorbs the light.
 The detector detects how much light the sample has absorbed
 The detector then converts how much light the sample absorbed in number.
 The numbers are either plotted straight away or transmitted to a computer to be further
manipulated.
1.2 APPARARTUS:
Spectrophotometer
1.3 PROCEDURE:
i. Take three 0.01% solutions of K2Cr2O7, KMnO4, K2Cr2O7
ii. Place them one by one in cell and run UV spectrophotometer.
iii. Select different wavelength and note the absorbance.
iv. Draw calibration curve for all the three samples.
v. Determine λmax for each sample at maximum absorption from the graphs.
1.4 OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:
1.4.1 For K2CrO4
Table 1.4.1

Wavelength (nm) Absorption (Abs)

450 0.127
475 0.057
500 0.021
525 0.005
550 0.003
575 0.003
600 0.003

Table 1.4.1

450nm
 Maximum absorption is at

1.4.2 For K2Cr2O7

Table 1.4.2

Wavelength (nm) Absorption (Abs)

450 0.186
475 0.107
500 0.040
525 0.010
550 0.003

Table 1.4.2

Maximum absorption is at 450nm

1.4.3 For KMnO4

Table 1.4.3

Wavelength (nm) Absorption (Abs)

450 0.144
475 0.1480
500 1.195
525 1.913
550 1.680
575 0.772
600 0.216
Table 1.4.3

Maximum absorption is at 525nm

1.5 COMMENTS
For K2CrO4 and K2Cr2O7 maximum absorption is at same wavelength which is 450nm. This
can be due to similarities in the molecular structure of both chemicals. For KMnO 4 it is
525nm due to its different characteristics e.g. molecular structure and frequency of movement
of molecules.
Spectrophotometer works on the principle of Beer-Lambert law according to which
absorption is directly proportional to path length along which light moves and concentration
of sample. It is usually written as:
A=εlc

Path length for all the samples is same so the difference in absorption is due to the different
concentration of K2Cr2O7 and K2Cr2O7 in comparison to KMnO4.