How does a refractometer work?

Refractometers are optical instruments that allow determining the percentage of soluble solids in a liquid solution, making use of the principle of total refraction of light (caused by the type and concentration of substances dissolved in a liquid solution), which takes place in the boundary layer between the prism and the sample.

Operation of a refractometer

The operation of a refractometer is based on the effect of the refraction of light, which can be observed through an objective located next to a graduated scale that allows establishing its relative position with respect to the prisms. The metal tube is covered with a rubber in order not to alter the temperature when the refractometer is held with the hands, because the temperature alters the inclination of the light waves. In the central part there is a flap that opens to allow the two prisms to be separated and to place the substance to be analyzed between them.

Through this analysis, it is possible to determine the amount of solute in a given substance, as well as see its degree of purity and carry out other qualitative analyzes.

What units does a refractometer measure?

The most used scale is degrees Brix (Proportion of sucrose or salts in a solution). There are other scales, such as:% salt, gs, g / dl, nD,% w / w,% vol,% water, mash sacch, M-10, MDT, among others. That is why a refractometer allows:

  • Identify a substance.
  • Verify its degree of purity.
  • Analyze the percentage of solute dissolved in a given solution.
  • Offer other qualitative analyzes.

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