Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)

Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

Lesson title: Refractometry Materials:

-Student Activity Sheet
- Pen
Lesson Objectives: - Calculator
At the end of this session, the students are expected to References:
Knevel, a. M., & digangi, f. E. (1977).
1. 1. Determine the Application and the concept behind refractometric Jenkins quantitative pharmaceutical
method of analysis chemistry. Manila : mcgraw-hill book
2. 2. Compute for the Purity of the Given sample.
company.

West, D. M., Skoog, D. A., Holler, J. F., &

Crouch, S. R. (2014). Fundamentals of
Analytical Chemistry. Belmont: Cengage
Learning.

Productivity Tip:
Now we are almost done, just a little push for you guys to achieve greatness. Good luck ☺ ☺ ☺
LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (10 mins)
Refractometry is a quick and reasonably accurate alternative to chemical analysis for serum total protein when a rapid estimate is
required. The refractive index of water at 20°C is 1.330; if solute is added to the water, the refractive index of a dilute solution
increases linearly and proportionally to the solute concentration; at higher concentrations of dissolved solids (50–200 g l−1), the
increase is nearly linear. Temperature affects appreciably the refractive index of a solution, so refractometers for clinical use
compensate for temperature effects. Serum contains dissolved solids in concentrations of 80–100 g l−1, most of which are proteins. In
the refractometry of serum, it is assumed that the concentration of inorganic electrolytes and nonprotein organic compounds does
not vary appreciably from serum to serum and that the differences in the refractive index reflect primarily the differences in protein
concentrations. The assumption has been shown to be reliable for clear, nonpigmented samples, but hemolysis, lipemia, icterus,
and azotemia produce erroneously high results. The method cannot be used for urine protein measurement because of excess solutes
in relation to the protein.

Figure 1. Refractometer (handheld) Figure 2. Refractive index

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 Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)
Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

For further understating: Please watch this Video for the application of Refractometry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8yysa48nkQ
Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (5 mins)
What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)

1. What is refraction?

2. What is refractive index?

B.MAIN LESSON
Activity 2: Content Notes (45mins)

Figure 3. Bending of a material Due to Refractive Index

Refractometry
The index of refraction is a physical constant frequently made use of in the determination of the identity and purity of drug products
and biological samples. It may be used to determine quantitatively the strength and purity of solutions or the proportions in which
liquids are mixed.

Index of refraction
When a ray of monochromatic light passes from one transparent substance to another of different optical density, some of the light
which passes into the substance is refracted (bent). The extant direction of refraction are dependent upon the difference between the
densities of the two substances. The angle between the ray in the first medium and perpendicular to the dividing surface, called the
normal, is termed as the angle of incidence (i), the corresponding angle in the second medium is called the angle of refraction (r). The
sine of i and the sine of r are directly proportional to the velocity of light in the two mediums

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 Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)
Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

Table 1. Sample different refractive indexes

The index of refraction of a chemical substance is defined as the ratio of the velocity of light in air to the velocity of light in the medium,
or as the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction, the index of refraction may be shown as:

𝑉𝑎𝑖𝑟 sin 𝑖
𝑛= =
𝑉𝑚 sin 𝑟

When light passing obliquely from a less dense medium to a more dense medium, it will be bent so that the angle of refraction (r) will
be less than the angle of incidence (i), thus showing an expression:

sin 𝑖 𝑁
=
sin 𝑟 𝑛

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 Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)
Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

Figure 5. Mechanism on how refractive index is measured

When the angle of incidence (i) increases, the angle of refraction (r) also increases and attains its maximum value (rc) as the angle of
incidence approache 90o, and is termed as the grazing incidence. The maximum value of refraction is called critical angle rc, the angle
of refraction in which the angle equals 90o, which can be seen that there exists a ray of refracted light called critical ray, which makes
a boundary defining critical angle.

Refractive indexes have varied values with temperature and wavelength, these variables must be held constant. The usual
temperature is at 25oC . This is usually done by circulating water from a suitable constant-temperature device, about the jacketed
prisms.

Figure 4. Hand held Refractometer with its parts

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 Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)
Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

Aside from the determination of the Refractive index of a sample using a refractometer, it can be further determined and
established with the used of computation. Refer to the sample problem below.
• The speed of light in an unknown medium is measured to be 3.281x109m/s. Determine the refractive index of the medium,
and classify the medium according to the table. A was assayed wherein it has an angle of incidence of 60 and an angle of
refraction of 45, give the refractive index of the sample. A calibration curve was created, and the results has been
established and showed in the table, Assume the following data, TASK; give the missing values,
n concentration

1.0002 10%

1.592 40%

1.902 60%

50%

1.638

So based from the problem given it is asking for two things. First is the Refractive index (n) of the sample , if it has a concentration of
50%. And the Concentration of the sample if it has a refractive index (n) of 1.638. So using the Calibration curve placed at the initial
part of the problem, we can now determine the variables that is being asked, hoping that the linear regreassion value of the
calculator is near to 1. Basing on the linear regression of the calibration curve (DATA 1-3 or data that has x and y values), we can get
a value of; 0.99798246, giving us that the values of both x and y axis are directly proportional with each other. For a guided online
reference on how to determine the linear regression using your calculator you may learn from this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG3sJYuwAKc . From the Calibration curve you may further determine the needed variables
using the formula y=A+Bx. Wherein the y is the Refractive index of the problem and x represents the concentration of the sample,
and A and B is found in your calculators respectively.
- For the first Variable being asked (n) wherein Concentration is 50 %. Since 50 is in percent, so convert it into decimal place
so you may use it in an operation.
Just following the formula, y = A +Bx
Y =( 0.831852631) + 0.018169473(50)
Y = 1.7413
So we can give the value of Y, so, if the sample has a concentration of 50%, it has a Refractive index of 1.7413
- Next will be the determination of the concentration of the sample using the refractive index (1.638), using the formula of
Linear regression y=A + Bx. Since this time the variable that is being asked is the concentration of the sample (x), just derive
the formula ( x=y-A/B) and you may now get the answer
Y=A +Bx
1.638 = 0.831852631 + 0.018169473 x
0.806147368= 0.018169473x
(0.018169473) (0.018169473)
44.3682% =x
from this we can conclude that the concentration of the sample having a refractive
index of 1.638 is 44.3682%

Activity 3: Skill-building Activities

Define the following terms.
Normal

Angle of incidence

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 Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)
Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

Angle of refraction

Dividing surface

Grazing incidence

Critical angle

Critical Ray

Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (5 mins)

Instruction: Please go back to the What I Know table which is placed in Activity 1. Please do read again the question and
answer the question allotted for activity 4 “What I learned”

Activity 5: Check for Understanding (30 mins)

Choose the best answer for the following questions. You may place your final answers on the space before the number.
1-10. Identify the Refractive index of the following substances.
1. Whale oil
a. 1.4585 c. 1.460
b. 1.36 d. 2.6
2. Ethanol
a. 1.4585 c. 1.460
b. 1.36 d. 2.6
3. Lead
a. 1.4585 c. 1.460
b. 1.36 d. 2.6
4. Salt
a. 1.52 c.1.54
b. 1.460 d. 1.65
5. Fused Quartz
a. 1.36 c.1.33
b. 1.4585 d. 1.635
6. Air
a. 1.0003 c. 1.33
b. 1.36 d. 1.000
7. Water
a. 1.0003 c. 1.33
b. 1.36 d. 1.000
8. Asphalt
a. 1.65 c. 1.635
b. 2.42 d. 1.4585
9. Heavy Flint Glass
a. 1.65 c. 1.635

This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION

 Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)
Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

b. 2.42 d. 1.4585
10. Diamond
a. 1.65 c. 1.635
b. 2.42 d. 1.4585

11-15. Identify the parts of refraction being labelled.

a. Angle of incidence c. angle of refraction e. Refracted ray

b. Reflected ray d. incident ray

16-20. Below is an image of a refractometer, wherein you need to Identify the parts that is being asked.

a. Detection prism c. prism table e. Eyepiece

b. Adjustment hand wheel d. adjustment screw

21-23. The speed of light in an unknown sample; 2.2043x108m/s.

21-22. Give the refractive index of the sample.

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 Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)
Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

a. 1.4585 c. 1.33
b. 1.36 d. 1.460
23. Using the refractive index, Identify the sample.
a. Water c. Ethanol
b. Whale oil d. Salt

24-27. A solution was assayed for its identity wherein it has a Θ i is 50 and the Θr 40.
24- 25. Give the Refractive index of the sample.
a. 1.20 c. 1.19
b. 1.21 d. 1.18
26. What is the possible identity of the sample.
a. Air c. Ethanol
b. Whale oil d. Water
27. The sample has a deviation with its standard refractive index. What is the possible reason for the deviation.
a. The sample is not pure
b. Calibrated Instrument
c. Temperature while reading / testing the sample.
d. Both A and B
e Both A and C
28-31. Supply the missing value.
n 1.55 1.65 1.70 1.80 1.62
Conc. 10% 15% 25% 35% 22%

28-29.
a. 1.66 c. 1.70
b. 1.68 d. 1.72
30-31.
a. 14.24 c. 16.24
b. 15.24 d.17.24

Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

A. Work Tracker
You are done with this session! Let’s track your progress. Shade the session number you just completed.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
P1 P2 P3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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 Course Code: Analytical Chemistry (CHE 029)
Teachers’ Guide Module #9

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: ______________

B. Think about your Learning. Today was a good start, it was quite hard but the important thing is that you learned new
things. Please do tell me what is the highlight of the session for you and what are the things you encountered in this
session that inspired you to become The Best Medical Technologist.

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.

FAQS

1. What are the application or uses of a refractometer?

Refractometer ‘s application would be measuring the specific gravity of Urine, and so as the amount of protein present in the urine
sample. Aside from that, it is also used as for the determination of the purity of a sugar solution, in brix, and so as in the determination
of salinity and concentration of a alcoholic sample.

Key to corrections.
The answers may vary, depending on how the student define the terms.

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