Question

Why is the temperature surrounding the prisms in a refractometer maintained at a constant temperature when in use?

a) To enhance color perception
b) To prevent condensation
c) To ensure accurate measurements
d) To minimize heat radiation

Answer 1

The temperature in a refractometer is kept constant to ensure accurate measurements, as the index of refraction of materials changes with temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The temperature surrounding the prisms in a refractometer is maintained at a constant temperature to ensure accurate measurements. This is critically important because the index of refraction for materials changes with temperature. When the index of refraction changes, the angle at which light refracts also changes; this could lead to imprecise measurements if the temperature fluctuates. For instance, a refractometer might be used to measure the purity of a substance, where the angle of refraction is dependent on the substance's composition and its temperature.