Experiment No:1 Date………..

Determination of molar absorptivity of a

compound (KMnO4)
AIM:
To determine the molar absorptivity of potassium permanganate being supplied
with A.R. KMnO4 crystals.

PRINCIPLE:
Photocolorimeter is an instrument used to measure the intensity of light
absorbed by a substance. The relationship between absorbance (A) and
concentration of a solution (C) is given by Beer lamberts law.

Log (I0/I)= A = ɛC

Where I0= Intensity of incident light

I=Intensity of transmitted light

ɛ=Molar absorption coefficient (molar absorptivity)

=Thickness of the cell

C= Concentration of the solution

From the equation, it is seen that the absorbance ‘A’ is directly proportional to
the molar concentration and the thickness of the cell.

Absorbance can be measured with the photocolorimeter, concentration is

known and the thickness of the cell can be determined by measuring the length
between the inner edges of the cell using vernier calipers. Substituting the
known values, molar absorptivity is calculated from the equation.
PROCEDURE:
About 158mg of given KMnO4 crystal is accurately weighed and
transferred into a 100 ml standard flask , dissolved in distilled water, and made
up to the mark using the same water. Now concentration of the stock KMnO4 is
0.01M.

10ml of the stock solution is pipetted out into another 100ml standard
flask. It is then made up to the mark using distilled water. Now the
concentration of standard KMnO4 is 0.001M.

Thickness of absorbing solution is determined by measuring the length

between the inner edges of the cuvette (cell) using vernier calipers. The
thickness of the absorbing solution is found to be 1 cm.

Photocolorimeter is switched on and allowed to warm up for 10 minutes.

The monochromator (optical filter) is adjusted for λ = 505 nm. The blank
solution is kept in the cell and the absorbance is adjusted to 0 (so that
transmittance becomes 100). Now 0.001 M KMnO4 solution is taken in the cell
and the absorbance is noted.

RESULT:
Molar absorptivity of the given compound (KMnO4) , ɛ =____ mol-1 dm3 cm-1
L.H.S.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

According to Beer Lambert’s Law A = ɛC

Absorbance of test solution , A= ______

Concentration of test solution , C= _____ M

Thickness of the cell , =______ cm

Molar absorptivity, ɛ = A/C = ______ mol-1 dm3 cm-1