refractometers

Do you have a refractometer? A refractometer is a simple instrument used for measuring concentrations of aqueous solutions. It requires only a few drops of liquid and is used as lab equipment throughout the food, agricultural, chemical, and manufacturing industries. Refraction When light enters a liquid it changes direction; this is called refraction. Refractometers measure the degree to which the light changes direction, called the angle of refraction. A refractometer takes the refraction angles and correlates them to refractive index (nD) values that have been established. Using these values, you can determine the concentrations of solutions. For example, solutions have different refractive indexes depending on their concentration. The prism in the refractometer has a greater refractive index than the solution. Measurements are read at the point where the prism and solution meet. With a low concentration solution, the refractive index of the prism is much greater than that of the sample, creating a large refraction angle and a low reading. The reverse would happen with a high concentration solution. Learn more about the new Cole-Parmer digital refractometers. The % Brix Scale The % Brix Scale shows the concentration percentage of the soluble solids content of a sample (water solution). The soluble solids content is the total of all the solids dissolved in the water, beginning with sugar, salts, protein, acids, etc.; the measurement reading value is the value of the sum total of those. The Brix scale is calibrated to the number of grams of cane sugar contained in 100 g of water. When measuring a sugar solution, the % Brix reading should perfectly match the actual concentration. Sample fluid % Brix Cutting oils 0 to 8 Oranges 4 to 13 Carbonated beverages 5 to 15 Apples 11 to 18 Grapes and wines 14 to 19 Concentrated juices 42 to 68 Condensed milk 52 to 68 Jams and jellies 60 to 70 Common Refractive Indexes Refractive index readings are temperature-dependent. Sample fluid Temperature Refractive index Methanol 25°C 1.326 Acetone 25°C 1.357 Ethanol 25°C 1.359 Acetic acid 25°C 1.370 Benzene 25°C 1.498 Paraffin oil 20°C 1.412 Palm oil 20°C 1.456 Olive oil 20°C 1.471 Methyl salicylate 25°C 1.522 Methyl iodide 25°C 1.740 Need to know more about refractometers? Read the entire article on refractometers.