Colorimetry and Spectrophotometry
Description
In this virtual lab, students explore how light interacts with coloured solutions and how this is used to measure concentration. They study the visible spectrum and complementary colours, build a colorimeter and a spectrophotometer from their parts, and find the best wavelength for a solution. They then prepare standards, test Beer’s and Lambert’s laws, and use a calibration curve to find the concentration of an unknown. Interactive experiments and quizzes accompany each section, followed by a final exam and a certificate of completion.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lab, students will be able to describe visible light and its interactions with matter, explain why solutions are coloured, and apply Beer’s and Lambert’s laws. They will also be able to describe the parts of a colorimeter and a spectrophotometer, convert between transmittance and absorbance, and use a calibration curve to find the concentration of an unknown solution.