Ans. Beer-Lambert’s Law, A
=e C
LÂ Â Â Â
          Â
- equation
1,             Â
where,
                                  Â
A = Absorbance
                                  Â
e = molar absorptivity at specified wavelength
                                  Â
L = path length (in cm)
                                  Â
C = Molar concentration of the solute
Given,
              Â
e = 1560 M-1cm-1
          Â
L = 1.0 cm
              Â
A =
0.005Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- smallest absorbance, limiting detection
Putting the values in equation 1
              Â
0.005 = 1560 M-1cm-1 x C x 1.0 cm
          Â
Or, C = (0.005) / (1560 M-1) = 3.20 x 10-6
M
That the as small as 3.20 x 10-6 M concentation of
penicillin can be detected using the specified
VIS-spectrophotometer.
Thus, detection limit = 3.20 x 10-6 M = 3.20 x
10-6 moles /L Â Â