The values used for the data treatment
are shown in Table 1. The values were used
to create a calibration curve that will find the
equation of the best fit line. Using this line,
the concentration of the unknown solution
can be determined by measuring its
absorbance.
Table 1. Calibration Curve Values
Volume of
Concentration
Working
of Standard Absorbance
Standard
Cu(II) ppm
Solution
0.00 0 0.002
2.00 100 0.042
4.00 200 0.087
6.00 300 0.118
8.00 400 0.157
10.00 500 0.196
Using the equation y = mx + b,
absorbance could be determined by
equating it to y. This is determined by the
spectrophotometer. Meanwhile, x is
equivalent to the concentration of the
solution, m is equal to the absorptivity, and b
would be the y-intercept. Using Microsoft
Excel, the calibration curve is shown as seen
in (Figure 1) (refer to Appendix 2). In the
equation, y = 0.0001x thus, the absorbance
is equal to 0.0001. Moreover, since there is
no y-intercept in the data acquired, it signifies
that there is no deviation from the theoretical
value. In the y-intercept, there is no
concentration of Cu(II) because x = zero.
Theoretically, the absorbance at this point
would be zero because there is no colored
solution due to the lack of copper which
means that no light should be absorbed due
to the solution being colorless. The presence
of a y-intercept even after negating the
effecting of the cell and the ammonia solution
on the values of absorbance signals that
something else is absorbing light due to the
presence of an absorbance value even at
zero ppm concentration. In this case, a y-
intercept would deviate from the theoretical
value by increasing the values of
absorbance. The data acquired were done
under the wavelength of maximum
absorption of 541nm.
Table 2. Absorbance of the unknown
concentration
Concentration
of Stock
Trial Absorbance
Sample Cu
(II) ppm
1 0.111 267
2 0.110 264.5
3 0.110 264.5
Average 0.110333333 265.6666667
All of the three trials for the solution
containing the unknown concentration had
an absorbance of 0.036. Replacing y with
0.036 in the equation y=0.0001x, the
concentration of the unknown sample would
be 360ppm. Since all of the trials had the
same absorbance values, it can be inferred
that the data acquired is precise.
Possibles sources of errors for this
experiment would be random, systematic
and gross. Random errors are often
unavoidable. They result from the usage of
glassware and may affect the precision of the
results. Systematic errors could occur from
method or instrument. The absorbance
values obtained from the spectrophotometer
may increase if the reaction cell was held
improperly. This is because of the
fingerprints may be left in the cell. These
fingerprints may absorb light from the
spectrophotometer which increases
absorbance value. Since the same cell was
used for all tests in this experiment, it is
important that it is washed with the solution
about to be tested throughly. This is done to
ensure that the correct concentration of the
Cu(II) is being analyzed otherwise the
absorbance value may increase or decrease
depending on the contaminated
concentration. The reagent blank test must
be performed in order to negate the effects
of the cell and the ammonia solution on
absorbance otherwise the absorbance
values will increase. Instrumental errors may
occur in this experiment from the
spectrophotometer. Any stray light in the
spectrophotometer will decrease the
absorbance value. This is due to the
additional presence of unabsorbed light. The
cell used for analysis must be standardized
because a wider cell results in a longer path
length. The longer path length will increase
absorbance values, and the graph may
deviate from its linear form. The
spectrophotometer must also be inspected
before use to ensure it is still effective for
analysis. Gross errors can result from
contaminated glassware especially during
solution preparation. Unwanted reagents
may enter the prepared stock solutions and
affect the concentration of copper which will
affect the absorbance value. This will greatly
affect the construction of the calibration
curve which will affect the calculations for the
concentration of the unknown sample. All
concentrations must be uncontaminated
before testing to prevent such errors from
occurring.
4. Conclusion and Recommendations
concentration of the sample. The curve must
be constructed as linear as possible. When
testing standardized solutions for the
construction of the calibration curve, some
tests may be repeated to find the most
accurate result to reduce any deviations in
the linear graph. Any instrument error may be
addressed through proper inspection of the
spectrophotometer before the performance
of the experiment. In addition, it is important
that all solutions used for the construction of
the calibration curve are properly prepared
and uncontaminated during solution
preparation to ensure that the obtained
absorbance values are accurate.

The quantitative analysis of the copper

solution via spectrophotometry was
successful. An accurate calibration curve
was constructed with the wavelength at
maximum absorption at 541 nm. The graph
was nearly completely linear which allows for
an accurate equation of the line which was
found at y = 0.0001x. Based on the
absorbance value of 0.036, the calculated
concentration of the copper solution was
found at 360 ppm which is true for all trials.
This also ensures all values are precise to
one another for the sample analysis.
However, the calculated concentration of the
copper solution may slightly deviate from the
theoretical value due to the calibration curve
not being completely linear which may have
resulted in some minor errors.

To increase the accuracy of the results, it

is recommended to address the systematic
errors. During the testing cell must be
handled properly and with utmost care to
prevent unwanted errors. The cell must also
be throughly washed to prevent
contamination and dilution from affecting the