What is the first step in a typical spectrophotometric procedure?

In a typical spectrophotometric procedure, the first step is to turn on the spectrophotometer and allow it to warm up. This is crucial because many spectrophotometers require some time for their light sources, such as tungsten or deuterium lamps, to stabilize. Warming up ensures that the light output is consistent, which is essential for accurate and reliable measurements.

Once the instrument is warmed up, it can be calibrated and used effectively. Following this initial step, users would then proceed to set the appropriate mode (such as absorbance), prepare samples, potentially create standard curves, and eventually insert the sample into the chamber for measurement. The order of these steps is vital for ensuring the proper functioning of the equipment and obtaining precise results.