UV VISIBLE SPECTROSCOPY

UV Spectroscopytells us about
electronic transition in atoms and molecules. Spectrum
are produced when electron and moleculemove from one
electronic energy level to other of higher energy level.
COLOURING THE SAMPLE

Compounds that absorbs in visible region such

as some Transition Metal compound and Organic Dyes are
coloured. Those that absorb only in the UV region are
colorless.

PROCEDURE
Inside UV Visible Spectrometer there are usually TWO
light sources.
One giving out Visible Light
And other UV
(When bulbs give light)
This one is TUNGSTEN LAMP called HEAD LAMP for the
Visible region.
And this one is DEUTRIUM LAMP (for continous spectrum
in UV region) gives out UV.

MIRROR:
This MIRROR directs light from appropriate source into the
MONOCHROMETER. This contains a Diffraction Grating
that acts rather like Plain surface of CD to split the light
into its constitute wavelength.

Different wavelengths corresponds to different colors.RED

is about 700nm and BLUE around 350nm. Wavelength
which are shorter than about 350nm are called ULTRA
VOLIET.
Shorter wavelength light has higher energy.
RADIATION PATH:
The source produce white light that
includes all wavelength, colours. The instrument scans
through the spectrum sending different wavelengths of
light through the sample in sequence. This is done by the
Grating which rotates. A single wavelength passes into
the MODULATORwhich consists of a ROUTER with Mirrors
on it. This chops the light into beams.
One beam passes through the Reference Cell, so the
instrument is reffered as a Double Beam instrument. Both
sample and the reference beam are directed by mirrors
on the Detector. This compares their intensities and send
a Signal proportional to the Ratio of their Intensiities to
the computer that controls the instrument. The local

rythem of this ratio gives a quantity called Absorbance.

Which is a measure of how much light is been absorbed
by the sample of particular wavelength.
UV visible spectra are usually
solutions, light does not normally pass through solid
samples. Here we will run a spectrum of green food dye.
To run this spectrum we place some other solvent to the
sample Cuvette to act as a blank reference. The cuvette
may be made of glass or plastic, if only the visible region
spectrum is required. QUARTZcuvette are needed for
work in UV range because glass and plastics absorb UV
light.
We place the sample in second cuvette.
The blank and the sample are placed in sample holders.
The lid is closed to prevent light from laboratory
interfering spectrum. The operator types the detail such
as wavelength range required andscanning speed into the
computer that controls instrument. We also 0s the
instrument at the point where sample doesnt absorb and
then starts the scan. This spectrum appears on the
screen. The data is saved on the computer and a
hardcopy can be printed.
The horizontal axis is normally wavelength. The
vertical one is absorbance, which is the measurement of
the amount of light absorbed by sample.
The PEAKS on the spectrum are wavelength of
light that are absorbed by sample and Troughs are where
light passes through, so the dye absorb ORANGE and

BLUE light and lets through GREEN so it appears GREEN

in color.