Meter Technology Flashcards
What does FTIR use to identify unknown substances?
It uses infrared light absorption to analyze chemical bonds.
What types of materials is FTIR best suited for?
It works best for solids, liquids, and pastes but struggles with gases.
How does FTIR identify a substance?
It compares the detected infrared spectrum to a built-in chemical database.
Does FTIR require direct contact with the sample?
Yes, it typically requires contact via ATR (Attenuated Total Reflectance) crystals.
Can FTIR detect trace-level vapors?
No, FTIR is not effective for detecting trace vapors like HPMS or PID can.
What is a major limitation of FTIR when analyzing mixtures?
Overlapping spectra can make it difficult to identify components in a mixture.
How is FTIR used in hazmat operations?
It is used to identify unknown powders, liquids, and hazardous spills.
How does Raman spectroscopy identify chemicals?
It uses a laser to scatter light off a material and measures molecular vibrations.
Can Raman identify substances through sealed containers?
Yes, it can identify substances through clear plastic, glass, and other transparent materials.
What types of materials does Raman struggle with?
Dark, fluorescent, or highly absorbing materials can interfere with Raman’s accuracy.
Why is Raman safer for analyzing unknowns compared to FTIR?
Because it does not require opening sealed containers, reducing exposure risks.
What kind of hazards is Raman commonly used to detect?
It is used to detect hazardous materials, narcotics, explosives, and toxic chemicals.
How does Raman complement FTIR?
Raman can detect some materials that FTIR struggles with, like aqueous solutions.
What does IMS measure to detect chemicals?
It measures the movement of ions in an electric field to classify chemicals.
What substances is IMS primarily used to detect?
Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) and Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs).
What is a key advantage of IMS?
It provides real-time detection and is highly portable.
What is a major drawback of IMS?
It has a higher chance of false positives compared to mass spectrometry.
Does IMS provide detailed chemical composition?
No, IMS only classifies chemicals into broad categories rather than identifying specific compounds.
Why does IMS require frequent calibration?
To reduce false readings and maintain accuracy.
How does IMS compare to HPMS?
HPMS is more precise and can provide exact chemical compositions, whereas IMS is faster but less specific.
How does HPMS identify chemicals?
It ionizes chemical samples and analyzes their mass-to-charge ratios.
What makes HPMS more precise than IMS?
HPMS can detect exact chemical compositions instead of just broad classifications.
What is a key advantage of HPMS over other detection methods?
It can detect trace amounts of vapors and substances with high sensitivity.
What device commonly uses HPMS for hazmat detection?
The MX-908 uses HPMS for detecting CWAs, narcotics, and explosives.
Why is HPMS less portable than IMS?
It requires a vacuum system and complex electronics, making it bulkier.
Does HPMS have a high false positive rate like IMS?
No, HPMS has lower false positives but requires more maintenance.
Can HPMS detect chemicals through sealed containers like Raman?
No, HPMS requires a direct sample, whereas Raman can analyze through clear barriers.
What type of radiation does a Geiger-Müller counter detect?
It detects ionizing radiation, including alpha, beta, and gamma.
How does a Geiger counter work?
It measures gas ionization caused by radiation and provides a count of detected particles.
Can a Geiger counter identify specific radioactive isotopes?
No, it only detects radiation levels, not specific sources.
What is the primary use of a Geiger counter in hazmat?
Detecting radiation leaks and contaminated areas.
Is a Geiger counter effective for low-energy gamma detection?
No, a scintillator is more sensitive for low-energy gamma radiation.
How does a scintillator detect radiation?
It uses a special material that emits light when hit by radiation, which is then measured.
How does a scintillator compare to a Geiger counter?
A scintillator can identify specific radioactive isotopes, while a Geiger counter only detects general radiation.
What types of radiation are best detected by a scintillator?
Low-energy gamma and some beta radiation.
Where are scintillators commonly used?
In nuclear accident monitoring, medical imaging, and hazmat teams.
How does a PID detect chemicals?
It uses UV light to ionize volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
What is a PID best used for?
Detecting hazardous gases, industrial solvents, and toxic vapors.
Can a PID identify specific chemicals?
No, it only measures the total concentration of VOCs.
What environments can interfere with PID readings?
High humidity and low-volatility substances can cause inaccurate results.
What is the function of a natural background rejector?
It filters out naturally occurring background radiation to improve accuracy.
What is a key advantage of using a background rejector?
It reduces false alarms in radiation detection.
Can a background rejector detect specific isotopes?
No, it only helps refine readings for Geiger counters and scintillators.
How does infrared dust detection work?
It measures light scattering to detect airborne particles and dust.
What is a key limitation of infrared dust sensors?
They cannot identify specific chemicals, only particle sizes and concentrations.
How does a Dräger tube detect gases?
It uses colorimetric chemical reactions to detect gas concentrations.
How is air drawn through a Dräger tube?
Using a manual pump that pulls air through the tube.
Can a single Dräger tube detect multiple gases?
No, each tube is specific to one type of gas.
What are the advantages of Dräger tubes?
Low cost, easy to use, and no power required.
FTIR identifies chemicals by shining __________ light through a sample and measuring which wavelengths are absorbed.
Infrared
Different bonds absorb different wavelengths, creating a unique fingerprint.
FTIR works well for identifying solids and liquids but struggles with detecting __________ because their absorption is too weak.
Gases
FTIR requires direct contact with a sample, usually through an __________ crystal.
ATR (Attenuated Total Reflectance)
Raman spectroscopy works by shining a __________ onto a sample and measuring the scattered light shifts.
Laser
Unlike FTIR, Raman spectroscopy can analyze substances through transparent materials like __________.
Glass or plastic
A major limitation of Raman spectroscopy is that it struggles with substances that are very __________ or fluorescent.
Dark
IMS separates chemicals based on how quickly their __________ move through a gas-filled drift tube.
Ions
IMS provides fast results but has a high rate of __________.
False positives
IMS is commonly used in hazmat operations to detect toxic industrial chemicals and __________ warfare agents.
Chemical
HPMS works by ionizing molecules and measuring their __________ ratio.
Mass-to-charge
HPMS is more accurate than IMS because it breaks molecules into __________.
Fragments
One downside of HPMS is that it requires a __________ system.
Vacuum
A Geiger counter detects radiation when incoming particles ionize the gas inside the tube, creating an __________ pulse.
Electrical
A Geiger counter can detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, but it cannot determine the specific __________ of the radioactive material.
Isotope
The clicking sound produced by a Geiger counter happens every time __________ occurs inside the detection tube.
Ionization
A scintillator detects radiation by emitting small flashes of __________ when struck by ionizing radiation.
Light
The light emitted by a scintillator is amplified and converted into an electrical signal by a __________ tube.
Photomultiplier
Unlike a Geiger counter, a scintillator can measure the __________ of radiation.
Energy level
A PID detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by using __________ light to ionize gas molecules.
Ultraviolet (UV)
The amount of ionization in a PID is measured as an __________ current.
Electrical
One limitation of PIDs is that they struggle in high __________ environments.
Humidity
Infrared dust detection works by shining an IR beam through air and measuring how much light is __________ by airborne particles.
Scattered
Larger dust particles cause __________ scattering, making them easier to detect than smaller ones.
More
While HazDust monitors provide real-time particulate levels, they cannot determine the __________ composition of the dust.
Chemical
A Dräger tube detects gases by using a manual __________ to pull air through a chemically treated tube.
Pump
The presence of a target gas in a Dräger tube causes a __________ change.
Color
Dräger tubes are simple and effective but cannot provide continuous monitoring because they are __________-use only.
Single
