TITLE

THE VISIBLE SPECTRA OF SOFT DRINKS

OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the origin of the colour of a soft drink sample from its absorption
spectrum.
2. To determine the wavelength at maximum absorbance (λmax) for a soft drink sample.
3. To determine the unknown concentration of a soft drink from the calibration curve.

INTRODUCTION
Spectroscopic technique are some sort of the most widely used analytical methods.
Different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum such as infrared, visible, ultraviolet or X-
ray radiation can be used to interact with matter. One of the most convenient, accurate and
sensitive methods for measuring the concentrations of dilute solution is by colorimetry or
absorption spectrophotometry. The technique based upon the measurement of the amount of
light energy of a solution absorbs from a beam of light of a certain wavelength. The
wavelength chosen is usually that one at which absorbance of the species to be analysed, is at
a maximum. The spectronic 20 will be used called colorimeter because it measures the
absorption of light in the visible spectrum that we perceive as colour and the technique used
is said to be colorimetric.

APPARATUS
Beaker, pipet, glass rod, volumetric flask 50 mL, dropper and retort stand.

CHEMICALS
A bottle of soft drink (red in colour).

PROCEDURE
A. Preparation of ‘Standard’ Solution of Soft Drink (Known Concentration)

1. Soft drink was poured into a beaker and stirred to remove the carbonation.
2. 5.00 mL of the soft drink was pipetted into a 50.0 mL volumetric flask and diluted to
mark with distilled water. Covered and shaked to make a homogeneous solution.
Stored in a small beaker.
3. Step 2 was repeated using 10 mL, 15 mL, 20mL, and 25mL of soft drink.

B. Preparation of ‘Unknown’ Soft Drink Sample.

 1. Some of the soft drink was poured into a beaker and stirred to remove the
carbonation.
2. The soft drink was poured without measuring the volume into a 50 mL volumetric
flask and diluted to the mark with distilled water. Stopper and shaked the flask to
homogenize the solution. The colour of the unknown solution was make sure to not
darker than the most concentrated standard solution
3. The ‘unknown sample’ was put into a cuvette until it is about ¾ full.

QUESTION
1. Based on Beer’s Law, when the concentration of an analyte increases, how will the
following be affected (increase, decrease, no change)?
i. Absorbance.
-Increase.
ii. Transmittance.
-Decrease.

2. Why is it important to first obtain the absorption spectrum of the soft drink before
making a calibration curve?
It is important to obtain the absorption spectrum first to obtain the value of λmax in
order to get maximum response, better sensitivity and lower detection limits for
making a calibration curve.

3. What is the purpose of using the ‘blank’ solution?

Blank solution is used to calibrate instrument such as spectronic 20 and also to trace
sources of artificially introduced contamination.

4. What colour(s) is/are being absorbed in your soft drink?

The colour is being absorbed in my soft drink is green which the range at 490-570
nm.

DISCUSSION
Based on this experiment, it is shown the origin of the colour of the soft drinks from its
absorption spectrum is determined. The wavelength at maximum absorbance for the unknown
can also be determined by calibration curve. When the concentration of the analyte increases,
the absorbance will also increase too and the transmittance will decrease. Based on the graph
transmittance versus concentration. It is shown linear relationship at low concentration. When
white light passes through or is deflected by a coloured substance, a characteristic portion of
the mixed wavelengths is absorbed. The remaining light will then assume the complementary
colour to the wavelength absorbed. The red coloured soft drink is absorbed and transmitted
the green colour which it wavelength at 490-570 nm range. Green is unique in that it can be
created by absorption close to 400 nm as well as absorption near 800 nm.
CONCLUSION
The origin of the colour of a soft drink from its absorption spactrum is green,
wavelength at maximum absorbance (λmax) for a soft drink sample is 520 nm and the
unknown concentration of the soft drinks from the calibration curve is 29%.