What range of wavelengths does a UV spectrophotometer operate within?

A UV spectrophotometer primarily operates in the ultraviolet (UV) range of electromagnetic radiation, which is generally defined as wavelengths between 100 and 400 nanometers (nm). The range of 180-380 nm specified in the correct answer encompasses the lower UV spectrum, where various biological and chemical substances can absorb UV light. This absorption is critical for analyzing components in samples, as it can indicate concentrations and identify specific substances based on their absorption characteristics.

The other ranges listed do not align with the typical operation of a UV spectrophotometer. For instance, the 100-200 nm range is somewhat too narrow and specific for general spectrophotometric analysis. The 400-700 nm range falls within the visible light spectrum, used more commonly in visible spectrophotometers, rather than UV analysis. Lastly, the 80-120 nm range might involve high-energy radiation and is not a practical operational range for standard UV spectrophotometry, which tends to concentrate on longer wavelengths that are relevant for most analytical applications.