Enhancing Chemistry Education with Smartphone Technology: A Simplified Protocol for Teaching Absorption Spectrophotometry

This article introduces the investigation of colorimeters among the alternatives that can replace spectrophotometers in teaching educational spectrophotometry. The practicum was conducted by the Department of Chemistry at the College of Science and included deep practice aiming at the improvement of the understanding of spectrophotometry. The practice involved the application of Beer–Lambert’s law in color solutions, where the detectors were the smartphone cameras instead of the conventional spectrophotometers. Four color solutions, specifically Copper (II) Sulfate Pentahydrate (blue), Chromium Chloride Hexahydrate (green), Potassium Permanganate (pink), and Potassium Dichromate (yellow), were studied for the wavelength of maximum light absorbance. This will describe the color of these solutions using a spectrophotometric assay and the application of the color produced to be utilized in pharmacy, chemistry, and bacteriology, whereby determination involving trace metals, drug concentrations, or environmental monitoring will be done. The study aims at bringing out student independence and the most active participation possible during all phases of the practicum—from material preparation to the interpretation of the calibration curves. This approach helps to improve students’ practical skills and better understand the principles of spectrophotometry.