Question

The student plans to conduct a spectrophotometric analysis to determine the concentration of Cu2+(aq) in a solution. The solution has a small amount of Co(NO3)2 (aq) present as a contaminant. The student is given a diagram below, which shows the absorbance curves for aqueous solutions of Co2+ (aq) and Cu2+ (aq)
c. The spectrophotometer available to the student has a wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm. What wavelength should the student use to minimize the interference from the presence of the Co2+ (aq)?

Answer 1

Answer:

The wavelength the student should use is 700 nm.

Explanation:

Attached below you can find the diagram I found for this question elsewhere.

Because the idea is to minimize the interference of the Co⁺²(aq) species, we should choose a wavelength in which its absorbance is minimum.

At 400 nm Co⁺²(aq) shows no absorbance, however neither does Cu⁺²(aq). While at 700 nm Co⁺²(aq) shows no absorbance and Cu⁺²(aq) does.