What is the Difference Between UV and Visible Spectrophotometer?

The main difference between a UV and a visible spectrophotometer lies in the range of electromagnetic radiation they measure. A visible spectrophotometer measures the absorption of electromagnetic radiation in a spectral range of 400 to 800 nm, while a UV spectrophotometer works in the range of 200 to 400 nm.

UV spectrophotometers are used to analyze substances in the ultraviolet light range, which has shorter wavelengths than visible light, up to about 100 nm. Visible spectrophotometers, on the other hand, analyze substances in the visible light spectrum, which ranges from approximately 380 nm to 780 nm.

In practice, the terms UV and visible spectrophotometer are often used interchangeably, as many instruments are designed to measure both UV and visible light spectra. These instruments, commonly known as UV-visible spectrophotometers, use absorption spectroscopy techniques to quantify analytes in a sample. They are used in various applications, such as measuring certain ingredients in a solution, determining enzymatic activity, and evaluating bacterial growth, DNA, RNA, and protein analysis.

Comparative Table: UV vs Visible Spectrophotometer

UV and visible spectrophotometers are both instruments used in spectroscopy to analyze and identify different substances by measuring the absorption of electromagnetic radiation. However, they differ in the range of wavelengths they cover. Here is a table highlighting the differences between UV and visible spectrophotometers:

Both UV and visible spectrophotometers are used in various applications, such as evaluating enzymatic activity, measuring bacterial growth, and analyzing DNA, RNA, and protein.