cuvetas

A cuvette is a small, transparent container used in analytical chemistry and spectroscopy. It is typically a small, rectangular prism or tube, often made of glass, quartz, or plastic, with two parallel, transparent sides. These sides are the ones that the light beam will pass through. Cuvettes are designed to hold a sample solution, and when placed in a spectrophotometer or other light-measuring instrument, they allow for the measurement of the sample's absorbance or transmittance of light.

The material of the cuvette is crucial for its application. Glass cuvettes are suitable for measurements in the visible light range. For experiments involving ultraviolet (UV) light, quartz cuvettes are necessary because glass absorbs UV radiation. Plastic cuvettes are generally the least expensive option and are often disposable, making them convenient for routine analyses or when contamination is a concern, though they may not offer the same optical clarity as glass or quartz.

Cuvettes come in various path lengths, which refers to the distance the light travels through the sample. The most common path length is 1 centimeter, which is often implied if not specified. However, longer or shorter path lengths are available to accommodate samples with very high or very low concentrations, respectively. Proper handling and cleaning of cuvettes are essential to ensure accurate measurements, as any scratches, fingerprints, or residues on the optical surfaces can interfere with the light path and affect the results.