Unknown Sample Lab Report

Words: 946
Pages: 4

Laurent Milhim
University of Central Florida
November 8, 2015

Abstract
An experiment was deliberated to determine if the concentration of select unknown samples exceeded a certain amount that corresponded to the U.S. standard. The concentrations were obtained using a series of calculations and equations via a spectrophotometer, which was the main piece of equipment that provided the percent transmittance. The unknown samples were tested against the diluted stock-AVM solution. It was founded that all selected unknown samples, in fact, did not exceed the U.S. standard of 3.0 mg/L PO43-.

Introduction
Phosphate levels in drinking water are an extremely important measurement that should never be exceeded. The average amount of phosphate that is allowed to be in drinking water should never surpass 3.0 mg of phosphate per liter. Although phosphate is a natural part of aquatic ecosystems, when water that contains an excess amount of phosphate is ingested, it elevates the blood levels in the body and can even lead to kidney problems.1 The solutions used in this experiment were six different concentrations of phosphate and ammonium vanadomolybdate (AVM) which was utilized as an indicator. The experiment was conducted using a spectrophotometer in order to measure how much light was absorbed and how
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The blank created consisted of 10 mL of deionized water and 5 mL of the indicator, AVM. Blanks were placed in between each solution read by the spectrophotometer. Once all six samples where obtained, six separate cuvettes also had to be obtained and filled two thirds of the way with each different sample. The spectrophotometer was set to read at 400 nm. The first standard utilized was the blank placed into the spectrophotometer and zeroed out. The next sample solution was placed into the spectrophotometer and the percent transmitted was obtained. These steps were repeated for each of the remaining