Which tool is used to determine the concentration of antifreeze in a system sample?

Which tool is used to determine the concentration of antifreeze in a system sample?

• A. Anemometer
• B. Refractometer
• C. Spectrometer
• D. Tachometer

Answer: (B)

Measuring how much glycol-based antifreeze is in a system relies on how light bends in that liquid. Different glycol–water mixtures change the refractive index in a predictable way as the concentration changes. A refractometer directly measures that refractive index and translates it into a concentration reading (often shown as percent glycol or a related protection level). It’s quick, requires only a small sample, and is ideal for field checks to ensure the system has the right antifreeze strength. Temperature matters because refractive index shifts with temperature, so readings are either temperature-compensated or taken at a standard temperature. An anemometer measures wind speed, and a tachometer measures rotational speed—neither relates to antifreeze concentration. A spectrometer can identify substances by their spectral lines, but it’s more complex and not as practical for a simple on-site concentration check. That’s why the refractometer is the best tool for determining antifreeze concentration in a system sample.

Measuring how much glycol-based antifreeze is in a system relies on how light bends in that liquid. Different glycol–water mixtures change the refractive index in a predictable way as the concentration changes. A refractometer directly measures that refractive index and translates it into a concentration reading (often shown as percent glycol or a related protection level). It’s quick, requires only a small sample, and is ideal for field checks to ensure the system has the right antifreeze strength. Temperature matters because refractive index shifts with temperature, so readings are either temperature-compensated or taken at a standard temperature.

An anemometer measures wind speed, and a tachometer measures rotational speed—neither relates to antifreeze concentration. A spectrometer can identify substances by their spectral lines, but it’s more complex and not as practical for a simple on-site concentration check. That’s why the refractometer is the best tool for determining antifreeze concentration in a system sample.