Question

A copper sulphate solution has a molar absorptivity value of 20 L mol-1 cm-1. Beta -carotene is an organic compound found in vegetables and is responsible for the color of carrots. Its molar absorptivity is 100,000 L mol-1 cm-1. Which compound is easier to be detected at low concentration using spectrophotometer?

Answer 1

Beta-carotene is easier to be detected at low concentration using spectrophotometer because its molar absorptivity value is much higher than that of copper sulfate. A higher molar absorptivity value indicates that a greater amount of light is absorbed by the compound, making it easier to detect at lower concentrations.

Answer 2

Answer: beta-carotene

Explanation: The molar absorptivity is a measure of how strongly a compound absorbs light at a specific wavelength. The higher the molar absorptivity, the more strongly the compound absorbs light, and the easier it is to detect at a low concentration.

In this case, beta-carotene has a much higher molar absorptivity than copper sulphate. Beta-carotene has a molar absorptivity of 100,000 L mol-1 cm-1, while copper sulphate has a molar absorptivity of only 20 L mol-1 cm-1.

Therefore, beta-carotene is much easier to detect at low concentrations using a spectrophotometer. Even at low concentrations, beta-carotene will absorb a significant amount of light, while copper sulphate will absorb much less. This means that beta-carotene can be detected at lower concentrations than copper sulphate, making it easier to detect and quantify using a spectrophotometer.