spectrophotometer
Measures light absorption
A spectrophotometer is an instrument that measures how much light a substance absorbs or transmits at different wavelengths.
It's fundamental to chemistry, biology, and materials science—used to identify compounds, measure concentrations, and analyze color: The spectrophotometer showed elevated protein levels in the sample.
The device splits light into its component wavelengths and quantifies how the sample interacts with each.
Light uptake measurement
- transmittanceFraction not absorbed
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- quantitativeConcerning measurable amounts
calibration · detection · endpoint · assay · kinetics · baseline · linearity · sensitivity
Visible electromagnetic radiation
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- transmissionSending of information
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- refractionWave bending between media
dispersion · interference · polarization · nanometer · ultraviolet · visible · infrared · near-infrared
Light-to-electricity conversion device
- light sourceWhat gives off illumination
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- filterPorous separation device
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
beam splitter · detector · slit · mirror · optical fiber · display
Science of living chemistry
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- nucleic acidsBiopolymers carrying genetic code
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- pigmentsColor-giving compounds
chromophores · colorimetric · turbidity · water quality · environmental monitoring · quality control · pharmaceutical testing
Small test portions
- reagentsSubstances for chemical analysis
- pipettesLiquid-measuring lab tubes
- blanksUnfilled spaces on forms
- dilutionsWeakened liquid mixtures
protocols · experiments · research · quality control · sterile technique · disposal · maintenance · validation
absorbance
Light uptake measurement
- transmittanceFraction not absorbed
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
quantitative · calibration · detection · endpoint · assay · kinetics · baseline · linearity · sensitivity · accuracy
colorimeter
Device measuring color intensity
light
Visible electromagnetic radiation
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- transmissionSending of information
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
refraction · dispersion · interference · polarization · nanometer · ultraviolet · visible · infrared · near-infrared · bandwidth
photodetector
Light-to-electricity conversion device
- light sourceWhat gives off illumination
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- filterPorous separation device
lens · beam splitter · detector · slit · mirror · optical fiber · display
biochemistry
Science of living chemistry
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- nucleic acidsBiopolymers carrying genetic code
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
pigments · chromophores · colorimetric · turbidity · water quality · environmental monitoring · quality control · pharmaceutical testing
samples
Small test portions
- reagentsSubstances for chemical analysis
- pipettesLiquid-measuring lab tubes
- blanksUnfilled spaces on forms
dilutions · protocols · experiments · research · quality control · sterile technique · disposal · maintenance · validation · SOP
spectrophotometernaked eye
Vision without optical instruments
microscope · balance · thermometer · voltmeter · Geiger counter
spectrophotometervisual inspection
Examination by sight alone
naked eye · rule of thumb · eyeballing · litmus paper · direct observation