SKL1043 SPECTROSCOPY TECHNIQUES

ACTIVITY 3
UV-VISIBLE SPECTROSCOPY

1. State three (3) applications of UV-Visible spectrometer.

2. Define the following terms:

a) Chromophore
b) Bathochromic shift (red shift)
c) Auxochrome
d) Hypsochromic shift (blue shift)
e) Hyperchromic shift
f) Hypochromic shift

3. Name four (4) light sources for UV-Visible spectrometer.

4. Deuterium lamp is the most common light source for UV-Visible spectrometer. State
the main advantage of deuterium lamp.

5. Briefly describe the uniqueness of tungsten filament as a light source for UV-Visible
spectrometer.

6. Double-beam configuration for UV-Visible spectrometer can be classified into double-

beam ‘in time’ and double-beam ‘in space’.

a) Distinguish between double-beam ‘in time’ and double-beam ‘in space’ UV-
Visible spectrometers.
b) What is the main disadvantage of double-beam ‘in space’ UV-Visible
spectrometer?

7. The drug tolbutamine (formula weight = 270 g/mol) has a molar absorptivity of 703
L mol-1 cm-1 at 262 nm. One tablet is dissolved in 2.0 L water. If the solution exhibits
an absorbance in the UV region at 262 nm equal to 0.687 in a 1.0 cm cell, how many
grams of tolbutamine are contained in the tablet?

SKL1043 Spectroscopy Techniques 2022 Activity 3 Azlan Kamari 1

8. An unknown amine (0.1155 g) is dissolved in 2.5 L of water. If the solution exhibits an
absorbance of 0.454 at 359 nm using a 1.5 cm cell, determine the formula weight of
the unknown amine. Given that the molar absorptivity of unknown amine is 3.28 x 10 3
L mol-1 cm-1.

9. Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid is a salicylate drug. It is often used as

an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and
as an anti-inflammatory medication. A series of aspirin standard solutions were
prepared and their absorbance readings were measured using a UV-Visible
spectrometer as shown in the table below:

Aspirin concentration (mg/L) Absorbance

0.2 0.21
0.4 0.32
0.6 0.40
0.8 0.51
1.0 0.62

If a urine sample exhibits an absorbance reading of 0.38, estimate the concentration

of aspirin within the urine sample.

SKL1043 Spectroscopy Techniques 2022 Activity 3 Azlan Kamari 2