The major difference between spectrophotometry and colorimetry is that the colorimeters use fixed wavelengths in the visible range (about 400–800 nm), whereas spectrophotometers use wavelengths in the UV/visible range (around 200–800 nm).
Spectrophotometers and colorimeters both are used to measure the absorption and transmittance of components based on their wavelength. The Tristimulus colorimeter has color filters and a light source which works on color sample only, whereas the spectrophotometer work with tungsten lamp, deuterium lamp, and monochromator for select the fixed wavelength as well as the range of UV/VIS.
| Table of Contents: |
What is spectrophotometry?
A spectrophotometer is an analytical device that measures the transmission or reflection of UV/visible/IR (infrared) light in a quantitative manner. The spectrophotometry measures the light intensity of a sample compound by passing a light beam through it. These apparatus are used to measure color and monitor color accuracy throughout the manufacturing process and different disciplines such as chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and molecular biology, etc.
Single and dual beam spectrophotometers are the two types of spectrophotometers. A single-beam spectrophotometer determines the absolute light intensity, whereas a double-beam spectrophotometer measures the ratio of light intensities on two independent light pathways, the reference standard, and the sample.
What is colorimetry?
A colorimeter is light-sensitive equipment that determines the amount of transmittance and absorbance of light that passes through a liquid sample. It measures the intensity or concentration of the color that emerges when a particular reagent is added to a solution.
The spectrophotometer and tristimulus colorimeter are the two types of colorimeters are used for color measurement. It determines the color intensity of the analyte and correlates it with the sample concentration. In colorimetry, the sample color is compared with the color of the standard in which the color is known.
Difference between spectrophotometer and colorimeter:
- The basic difference between spectrophotometer and colorimeter is that spectrophotometry can use wavelengths from a wider range, while colorimetry uses fixed wavelengths that are only observable in the visible spectrum.
- The light source in the spectrophotometer is a UV lamp (Tungsten, Xenon, and Deuterium) which works at wavelength, while the light source in colorimeter is LED which works at a fixed wavelength.
- The particular wavelength is selected in a spectrophotometer by using a monochromator, while the particular wavelength is selected in colorimetry by using a color filter.
- A spectrophotometer consists of a sensor, data processor, and a computer that gives data as per the given format, whereas a colorimeter typically consists of a sensor and a data processor.
- The spectrophotometer can serve for research, development, and quality control, while the colorimeter is typically used for inspection and quality control purposes.
- Spectrophotometry uses a wide range of wavelengths i.e., Ultraviolet and visible regions, whereas colorimetry uses a fixed wavelength in the visible range.
- The obtained data of spectrophotometry indirectly provide psychophysical information, while the obtained colorimetric data provides tristimulus values.
- Spectrophotometry is a more expensive and complex instrument than a colorimeter, while colorimetry is a robust and less expensive and complex instrument than a spectrophotometer.
- The spectrophotometer can recognize the strength and metamerism of color, whereas the colorimeter cannot identify the strength and metamerism of color.
- The spectrophotometer determines the amount of light, whereas the colorimeter determines the absorption of light that passes through a sample solution.
- A spectrophotometer is more sensitive than a colorimeter, while a colorimeter is less sensitive than a spectrophotometer.
- The approach of the spectrophotometer is a physical analysis, while the approach of colorimetry is psychophysical analysis.
- A spectrophotometer measures color in human-visible light wavelengths, while a colorimeter measures the three major color components of light such as red, green, and blue.
- In spectrophotometry, data is shown in a computer equipped with the appropriate software, while in colorimetry data is displayed on a digital or analog output.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
The spectrophotometer is better than the colorimeter in terms of precision and adaptability. It is also better for more complicated color analysis because it can determine the spectral reflectance at each wavelength.
Is a colorimeter a spectrophotometer?
The colorimeter and spectrophotometer are similar as they are both used to measure the absorbance sample to determine analyte concentrations.
You may also like this
No comments:
Post a Comment