Question

) Scientists measure the amount of light passing through a sample in terms of percent transmittance (%T). Percent transmittance is the fraction of original light that passes through a sample. Recall that P0 is the amount of light entering the sample and P is the amount of light reaching the detector. Using a spectrometer, a sample was analyzed to have a percent transmittance of 85%. What percentage of light was actually absorbed by the sample? (1 points)

%T= P/P0 * 100

Answer 1

Approximately 15%.

Step-by-step explanation:

When light falls on an object, three major things; transmission, reflection and absorption occur. Transmission is the process by which light propagates or passes through an object. Reflection is the process in which light got reflected on hitting the surface of an object and absorption is the process in which light rays are absorbed by an object.

From the given question, percent transmittance is the fraction of original light that passes through a sample.

%T =
`(P)/(P_(0) )` × 100

Since the sample has a percent transmittance of 85% after analysis, then the percentage of light absorbed by the sample is approximately 15%. This is because some percentage would have been reflected also.

Answer 2

15%

Step-by-step explanation:

The light absorbed by the sample does not reach the detector. In other words, if only 85% of the light reached the detector, then the other 15% must have been absorbed by the sample.

So the answer is that 15% of light was actually absorbed by the sample, in this case.