1. SIDEBAR: PLANTS ABSORB A LOT OF LIGHT ENERGY…
…why don’t they emit light (glow)?

2. SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
White light contains all wavelengths of light in the visible region of the EM. A substance appears colored because it absorbs light at one or more wavelengths in the visible region and transmits the remaining wavelengths. The human eye, a type of EM radiation detector, sees the transmitted light.

3. COMPLEMENTARY COLORS
The color of the light transmitted is complementary to the color of light absorbed.
From the color wheel, you can see that a substance that absorbs blue wavelengths transmits orange wavelengths, and so appears orange to the human eye.
What color does a red object absorb?

4. SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
A spectrophotometer uses this concept to determine the relative absorbance or transmittance of wavelengths of light by a solute in solution.
A wavelength of light is specified, and then beamed through a small test tube (cuvette) of solution to determine the relative amount transmitted or absorbed.

5. SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

6. SPEC 20 Display: NM • % VALUE • MODE Cuvette chamber
Wavelength adjustment
On/Off;
Transmission
adjustment
Absorbance adjustment

7. CAIIBRATING THE SPEC
Zero the instrument using the % Transmittance mode:
Set the wavelength (large knob on top) to 550nm
Set MODE to transmittance
With the sample compartment empty and the cover closed, adjust the zero knob (LEFT) until transmittance reads 0%
Fill a cuvette ~2/3 full with distilled water
Wipe off the outside with a Kim-Wipe and insert into the sample holder
Adjust the light control knob (RIGHT) until the transmittance registers 100%

8. RUNNING A SAMPLE
Use the color wheel and spectrum diagrams to predict what wavelengths your solution will absorb.
Replace the DI cuvette with one ~2/3 filled with the test sample. Close the cover.
Transmission below 30% indicates a too concentrated sample. Dilute with DI water as needed.
Set MODE to absorbance
Decrease the wavelength (top knob) to 400nm
Record the absorbance at this wavelength
Repeat in 25 nm intervals to 700nm

9. FINDING THE ABSORPTION SPECTRUM OF LEAVES
Plants contain primary and secondary pigments that are necessary for absorbing energy – in the form of excited electrons - used in the process of photosynthesis
We can use the absorption spectrum of a sample to derive the wavelengths most used to excite the electrons of the pigments in plants leaves
Bring in some leaves – you’ll make a solution of the pigments and find the absorbency spectrum of each