Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Question 1

what is atomic absorption spectoscopy

Answer 1

techniqe used to determine the concentration of differnet elements in solution

Question 2

what are the concentration values

Answer 2

milligrams per litre
parts per milion

Question 3

How is the atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis perofemd

Answer 3

invovles focusing light of a specific wavelenght on atoms of a solution and measuring the amount of light that is absorbed

Question 4

absorbance

Answer 4

measurement of light that is absorbed by a substance

absorbance can alo be used to measure concentration

Question 5

what is needed for atomic absorption spectrometry to work

Answer 5

flame to act as heat source
method of spraying sample solution into flame
beam of light for atoms to absorb
way to focus and detect light
device to show the calibration graph to calculate results

Question 6

what is the burner

Answer 6

steel plate with thin slit for the flammable gas and sample mixture to come through

an ignitor sets gas alight by quickly shooting a flame across it

Question 7

what is the sample introduction process

Answer 7

sameple solution is drawn through a thin tube into a box called a spray chamber

solution is turned into spray and mixed with the flammable gas mixture of air and acetylene

spray is then forced through the slit in the burner where it is ignited. atoms in solution then become present in the flame

Question 8

what is teh light source

Answer 8

instrument uses a hollow cathode lamp. this provides a beam of light specifc to an element

the atoms in the fame absorb this light

Question 9

what is the photomultiplier tube

Answer 9

special device which is used to measure light and convert it into an electrical signal

signal is sent to computer to give an absorbance reading