Refractometer

Refractometer

A refractometer is an optical instrument that is used to determine the refractive index of a substance. This often refers to some physical property of a substance that is directly related to its refractive index. Certain types of refractometers can be used for measuring gases, liquids such as oils or water-based, and even transparent or translucent solids such as gemstones.

A refractometer can be used to determine the identity of an unknown substance based on its refractive index, to assess the purity of a particular substance, or to determine the concentration of one substance dissolved in another. Most commonly, refractometers are used for measuring fluid concentrations such as the sugar content (Brix level, for example in carbonated beverages, fruits, juices, honey and or vegetables, etc), blood protein concentration, salinity and specific gravity of urine. Refractometers are also used for measuring fluid concentrations for commercial liquids such as antifreeze, cutting fluid, and industrial fluids.

Types of refractometers

There are four main types of refractometers: traditional handheld refractometers, digital handheld refractometers, laboratory or Abbe refractometers, and inline process refractometers.

There is also the Rayleigh Refractometer used (typically) for measuring the refractive indices of gases.

In veterinary medicine, a refractometer is used to measure the total plasma protein in a blood sample and urine specific gravity.

External links

* [http://www.gemstonebuzz.com/instruments/refractometer.html Refractometer - Gemstone Buzz] uses, procedure & limitations.
* [http://laser.physics.sunysb.edu/~jennifer/reference/refractometry/refractometryhome.html Rayleigh Refractometer: Operational Principles]


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  • Refractometer — Re frac*tom e*ter (r? fr?k*t?m ?*t?r), n. [Refraction + meter.] (Opt.) A contrivance for exhibiting and measuring the refraction of light. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • refractometer — [rē΄frak täm′ət ər] n. an instrument for measuring refraction, as of the eye …   English World dictionary

  • refractometer — Interferometer In ter*fe*rom e*ter, n. [See {Interfere} and meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring small movements, distances, or displacements by means of the interference of two beams of light; formerly also called also {refractometer},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • refractometer — refraktometras statusas T sritis Standartizacija ir metrologija apibrėžtis Dujų, skysčių ir kietųjų kūnų lūžio rodiklio matuoklis. atitikmenys: angl. refractometer vok. Refraktometer, n rus. рефрактометр, m pranc. réfractomètre, m …   Penkiakalbis aiškinamasis metrologijos terminų žodynas

  • refractometer — refraktometras statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. refractometer vok. Brechzahlmesser, m; Refraktometer, n rus. рефрактометр, m pranc. réfractomètre, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • refractometer — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: circa 1859 an instrument for measuring refractive indices (as for identification or the determination of sugar content) • refractometric adjective • refractometry noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • refractometer — refractometric /ri frak teuh me trik/, adj. refractometry, n. /ree frak tom i teuhr/, n. Optics. an instrument for determining the refractive index of a substance. [1875 80; REFRACT + O + METER] * * * …   Universalium

  • refractometer — noun An optical instrument used to measure the refractive index of a substance See Also: refractometric, refractometry …   Wiktionary

  • refractometer — An instrument for measuring the degree of refraction in translucent substances, especially the ocular media. See refractive index. SYN: objective optometer, refractionometer. [refraction + G. metron, measure] * * * …   Medical dictionary

  • Refractometer — Рефрактометр …   Краткий толковый словарь по полиграфии

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