Result

No. NaCl Distilled Refractive Salinity using Salinity using

(g) Water Calculated Index manual digital Percentage
(ml) Concentration refractometer refractometer error (%)
(g/mol) (wt % NaCl) (wt % NaCl)
1 0.0 20.0 0 1.33 0.0 0.0 0
2 1.0 19.0 0.85 0.08 6.5 6.2 4.84
3 1.5 18.5 1.30 0.12 8.0 11.2 28.57
4 2.0 18.0 1.70 0.17 10.0 12.5 20.00
5 2.5 17.5 2.15 0.22 12.5 15.4 18.83
6 3.0 17.0 2.55 0.27 22.0 24.9 11.65
7 4.0 16.0 2.40 0.39 23.0 26.1 11.88
Table 1

Appendixes

Percentage error = difference of salinity reading/salinity using digital refractometer ×100%

Calculated concentration = number of moles/volume of solute

N = nw + ( ns – nw )

N = Refractive Index
Nw = 1.33 g/ml > constant of pure water
Ns = 1.54 g/ml > constant of NaCl
Vs = Amount of NaCl
V = Amount of NaCl
V = Vs + Vw = Amount of water

1) 1.33 + (1.54 - 1.33) × 0/20.0 = 1.33

2) 1.33 + (1.54 - 1.33) × 0/19.0 = 0.08
3) 1.33 + (1.54 - 1.33) × 0/18.5 = 0.12
4) 1.33 + (1.54 - 1.33) × 0/18.0 = 0.17
5) 1.33 + (1.54 - 1.33) × 0/17.5 = 0.22
6) 1.33 + (1.54 - 1.33) × 0/17.0 = 0.27
7) 1.33 + (1.54 - 1.33) × 0/16.0 = 0.39
Discussion

From the result obtained, there is small different range on the salinity reading between
manual refractometer and digital refractometer. Digital refractometer got higher reading than
manual refractometer. The difference in reading occurred due to automatic temperature
compensation, technology and digital sensor. A digital refractometer can offer more than
double the resolution producing a far more accurate reading than the manual refractometer.

In conducting this experiment, the final results showed that as the concentration of the NaCl
solution increases, the index of refraction increases. In contrast, as the salinity increases the
refraction index decreases.

There is small different range on the salinity reading between manual refractometer and
digital refractometer. The error occurred because of these reason. Firstly, with a manual
refractometer, the sample needs to be placed close to the eye to take a reading and this can not
only be a potential hazard but limit visibility of surroundings whilst a digital refractometer can
be controlled at arm’s length in a safe and visible manner. A digital refractometer not only
offers a wider scale but also a much better resolution. Some models will give you readings in
Brix or RI (Refractive Index) or even both depending on your preferred unit. Temperature is
one of the single most important factors influencing accurate refractometer readings and is one
of the largest sources of error in measurement. Refractive index is very dependent on
temperature. The amount of error per degree of temperature is different for every fluid and
differs for different concentrations of the same fluid. Although temperature compensation
relieves the user of the responsibility to measure temperature and apply a correction factor
when taking readings, it is not infallible. Whether using a manual refractometer or a desktop
refractometer, we must allow time for the refractometer temperature, the ambient temperature,
and fluid temperature to come to equilibrium (within the temperature compensation range of
the refractometer). Since the volume of fluid is usually only a few drops, its thermal mass
compared to that of the refractometer is really rather small, allowing it to come to the
temperature of the refractometer relatively quickly, in most cases. Thick viscous fluids, like
maple syrup, typically take longer to come to equilibrium than less viscous material such as
water. Another reasons, the prism surface is dirty
Digital refractometer (ATAGO) is a completely new redesigned digital hand-held instrument
that will change the traditional conceptions of refractometers. Firstly, it is light and compact,
100g.The speedy performance of the PAL is amazing. Simply put a drop of a sample on the
prism surface and press the START key. The Brix value (sugar content / concentration) will be
displayed in just 3 seconds. The sample stage is designed to keep sample solutions from spilling
out. Plus, high temperature sample can be measured. The Automatic Temperature
Compensation function of the PAL enables you to take measurement readings regardless of the
ambient temperature.

Manual refractometer (ATAGO) has metal body and its measures wide Brix concentration
in juice, coffee, other beverages, and also processed food. This refractometer equipped
with Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) and water resistant (IP65) features. Plus,
successor model of the conventional N-50E. Based on the features, digital refractometer is
much easier to read, exact. No lighting worries either looking through the manual.

In a nutshell, the digital refractometer can offer more than double the resolution producing a
far more accurate reading than the manual refractometer.
 Based on the theory, as the NaCl concentration increases, refractive index increase. The
relationship between refractive index and NaCl concentration has been determined and shown
to be linear in the figure 1 below. Increasing the concentration of salt in water will affect the
density and atomic interaction of the water and will increase the index of refraction.

Graph of refractive index vs salt concentration

0.45

0.4

0.35
Refractive Index

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 0.85 1.3 1.7 2.15 2.55 2.4
Concentration of NaCl solution (g/mol)

Figure 1
References

 Haven, M. C., Tetrault, G. A., and Schenken, J. R. (1995) Laboratory

Instrumentation: Fourth Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc: London.

 Lipták, B. G., and Venczel, K. (2017) Analysis and Analyzers, Volume 2: Fifth
Edition. Taylor & Francis Group: USA.

 [Online] Available at: http://www.atago.net/english/