What is the main function of a spectrophotometer?

The main function of a spectrophotometer is to measure the amount of light absorbed or transmitted by a sample. This instrument operates based on the principles of light absorption, where different substances absorb specific wavelengths of light to different extents. By analyzing the intensity of light before and after passing through the sample, a spectrophotometer can quantify the concentration of an analyte in a solution according to Beer-Lambert Law, which relates absorbance to concentration.

This property is crucial in analytical chemistry for determining the composition of solutions, monitoring reaction kinetics, and conducting various other measurements in both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The utility of a spectrophotometer spans numerous applications across different fields, including environmental testing, biochemistry, and clinical diagnostics, making it an indispensable tool in analytical laboratories.