A laboratory spectrophotometer is an analytical instrument used to measure the intensity of light absorbed or transmitted by a sample at specific wavelengths. It works by passing a beam of light through a sample and detecting how much light is absorbed at various wavelengths, providing valuable information about the sample's composition, concentration, and purity. Spectrophotometers are essential in fields such as chemistry, biology, and environmental science for tasks like quantifying DNA, analysing chemical reactions, and monitoring pollutants. They come in various types, including UV-Vis and IR spectrophotometers, each suited for different applications.