Introduction
Spectrophotometers are instruments that measure the amount of light absorbed by various substances. They are used in many fields, including chemistry and physics. The term “spectrophotometer” describes multiple devices, but they all work by measuring how much light is absorbed by a substance (Jensen 2). This measurement can be done by measuring the intensity of light. It can simultaneously be done by measuring how much time an object takes to return to its original state after being irradiated with light. It can determine the concentration of certain materials and chemicals, allowing scientists to analyze results more accurately using spectrophotometers. This article discusses how William B. Jensen invented spectrophotometers and how other scientists improved upon them through research that focused on enhancing precision and accuracy within these instruments’ abilities to accurately measure wavelengths within specific ranges.
Discussion
Spectrophotometers are used in spectroscopy to quantify the purity of substances and determine the matter’s composition. Spectrophotometers have been widely used in scientific research since the 1920s, and they have been made easier to use by adding controls such as an autocollimator and a lock-in amplifier (Jensen 4). An autocollimator keeps a sample in constant light while it is measured with a spectrophotometer. The lock-in amplifier allows the user to measure a narrow range of wavelengths, which helps determine substance mixtures or smaller amounts of samples than possible using a standard spectrophotometer alone. They are further used in mineralogy to analyze rock samples for mineral content. Each instrument has its own set of features that allow it to function as a specific type of spectrophotometer.
Jensen discusses different types of spectrophotometers: the photometer, which determines how much light is reflected from a substance. The polarimeter measures the angle between light waves and their reflection, and the microscope uses an image taken through a lens to analyze material samples under magnification (Jensen 10). He outlines how these instruments have been used since ancient times and how they were adapted to be used more effectively by scientists today. A spectrophotometer consists of a lamp, which shines light onto the sample and absorbs some of that light. It has a device that measures the intensity of the light reflected off the piece and an electronic circuit that converts measured intensity levels into concentration measurements (Jensen 12). The measurement can be expressed as absorbance or an extinction coefficient.
According to Jensen’s article, the light source is a small bulb turned on in a dark room with many different colors and intensities. A prism divides the spectrum into multiple wavelengths, which are then measured using a spectrophotometer (Jensen 17). It determines the proportion of each color present in a specific wavelength. In the article, Jensen explains how spectrophotometers are used in the study of chemistry (Jensen 37). Jensen explains that spectrophotometers can be used to make measurements where previous methods were unable to, like measuring the amount of light absorbed by a substance at different wavelengths. This measurement was previously impossible because no instruments could do so. He explains that spectrophotometers can be used with other methods, such as microscopes or X-ray diffractometers. Finally, Jensen discusses potential problems with spectrophotometers and ways they can be improved to make them more accurate and efficient.
Conclusion
Conclusively, the article is an excellent source of information about spectrophotometers. The author is an expert on the subject and offers a well-researched overview of how spectrophotometers work and their uses. Therefore, people need to know more about the scientific tools used throughout history and how they have helped advance people’s understanding of the world around them. It is fascinating how these devices have evolved, from being used only for scientific purposes like measuring light or color intensity to almost any purpose under the sun, such as detecting gas leaks.
Work Cited
Jensen, William B. “Spectrophotometers.” Oesper Collections in the History of Chemistry (2014). Web.