When using a spectrophotometer to analyze a sample, which of the following would change depending upon the concentration of solute in the sample? (Select all that apply.)

Question

Question 2 options:

absorbance

the amount of sample loaded onto the spectrophotometer

transmitted light

incident light

Answer 1

When using a spectrophotometer, the properties that change depending upon the concentration of solute in the sample are:

1. Absorbance - According to Beer-Lambert Law, absorbance is directly proportional to the concentration of the solute in the solution.

2. Transmitted light - As the concentration of the solute increases, the amount of light that is transmitted through the sample decreases, since more light is absorbed.

The other options, the amount of sample loaded onto the spectrophotometer and incident light, do not directly change with the concentration of the solute:

• The amount of sample loaded onto the spectrophotometer is typically determined by experimental design and fits within the cuvette, rather than the concentration of the solute.

• Incident light refers to the light that is emitted from the spectrophotometer source and does not vary with the concentration of solute in the sample.

Thus, the correct answers are absorbance and transmitted light.