What is Colorimeter?

A colorimeter is a device that is used in

Colorimetry. It refers to a device which

helps specific solutions to absorb a

particular wavelength of light. The

colorimeter is usually used to measure

the concentration of a known solute in

a given solution with the help of the

Beer-Lambert law.
 History of Colorimeter
Louis Jules Duboscq made a colorimeter for a professor of industrial chemistry at the
Commercial College in Paris in 1854. Duboscq's was not the first colorimeter on the
market but it was, he would later claim, the first that allowed for the simultaneous
color comparison of two liquids.

Uses of Colorimeter
 It is used in laboratories and hospitals to estimate biochemical samples such as
urine, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, serum, etc.

 It is used in the manufacturing of paints.

 It is used in textile and food industry.

 It is used in the quantitative analysis of proteins, glucose, and other biochemical

 It is used to test water quality.

 It is used to determine the concentration of haemoglobin in the blood.

Types of Colorimeter
There are three main types of colorimeters:

1. Spectrophotometer: This is the most accurate type of colorimeter and can be

2. Densitometer: This type of colorimeter is used to measure the density of a

3. Tistimulus colorimeter: This is the most common type of colorimeter and is used
to measure the tristimulus values of a color.

Principle of Colorimeter
It is a photometric technique which states that when a beam of incident light of
intensity Io passes through a solution, the following occur:

 A part of it is reflected which is denoted as Ir

 A part of it is absorbed which is denoted as Ia

 Rest of the light is transmitted and is denoted as It

Therefore, Io = Ir + Ia + It

To determine Ia the measurement of Io and It is sufficient therefore, Ir is eliminated.

Colorimeter is based on two fundamental laws of photometry. We have discussed them

Beer’s law:
According to this law the amount of light absorbed is proportional to the solute
concentration present in solution.

Log10 Io/It = asc

where,

as is absorbency index

c is the concentration of solution

Lambert’s law:

According to this law the amount of light absorbed is proportional to the length as well
as thickness of the solution taken for analysis.

A = log10 Io/It = asb

Where,
A is the test absorbance of test

as is the standard absorbance

b is the length / thickness of the solution

Working of Colorimeter
Step 1: Before starting the experiment it is important to calibrate the colorimeter. It is
done by using the standard solutions of the known solute concentration that has to be
determined. Fill the standard solutions in the cuvettes and place it in the cuvette holder
of colorimeter.

Step 2: A light ray of a certain wavelength, which is specific for the assay is in the
direction of the solution. The light passes through a series of different lenses and
filters. The coloured light navigates with the help of lenses, and the filter helps to split
a beam of light into different wavelengths allowing only the required wavelength to
pass through it and reach the cuvette of the standard test solution.

Step 3: When the beam of light reaches’ cuvette, it is transmitted, reflected, and
absorbed by the solution. The transmitted ray falls on the photodetector system where
it measures the intensity of transmitted light. It converts it into the electrical signals
and sends it to the galvanometer.

Step 4: The electrical signals measured by the galvanometer are displayed in the digital
form.
Step 5: Formula to determine substance concentration in test solution.

A = ∈cl

For standard and test solutions

∈ and l are constant

AT = CT ….. (i)

AS = CS ….. (ii)

From the above two equations,

AT × CS = AS × CT

CT = (AT/AS) × CS

Where,
CT is the test solution concentration

AT is the absorbance/optical density of test solution

CS is the standard concentration

AS is the absorbance / optical density of standard solution

There are many advantages to using colorimetry, including:

2. Allows for the measurement of a wide range of colors.

3. Can be used to measure colors in both the visible and invisible spectrum.

4. Can be used to measure the color of both solid and liquid samples.
5. Portable and easy to use.

Disadvantages of Colorimetry
There are a few disadvantages to colorimetry. One is that it can be expensive to set up
and maintain the necessary equipment. Another disadvantage is that it can be difficult
to get an accurate reading if the lighting is not consistent.
 Conclusion:
Colorimetry is a method that measures the concentration of a solution with the usage
of Beer-Lambert Law. The machine that undergoes the measurement is known as the
colorimeter. The application of colorimetry is mostly associated with the biochemistry
industry.