Uses Of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)

Question 1

In general what is atomic absorption spectrometry used for?

Answer 1

It is used to detect the presence of certain elements in materials dissolved in water and for measuring the concentrations of these elements.

Question 2

What is the name of the instrument used in atomic absorption spectrometry?

Answer 2

Atomic absorption spectrometer

Question 3

What can an atomic absorption spectrometer be used in?

3

Answer 3

It is used in the analysis of water for metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium

The measuring of concentrations of lead in blood

Used in forensic science to test for gunshot residue

Question 4

The principle behind the use of the atomic absorption spectrometer is based on what two facts?
(2)

Answer 4

Atoms of an element in the ground state absorb light of a particular wavelength that is characteristic of an element

The amount of light absorbed is directly proportional to the concentration of the element present in the sample

Question 5

What type of light do chemists use as the source of radiation in atomic absorption spectrometry?
(2)

Answer 5

They don’t use white light

Instead they use lamps that emit the line spectrum of the element used e.g. a sodium lamp is used to measure the amount of sodium present in a particular sample being analysed

Question 6

Why are the same light sources as the elements being analysed are used?

Answer 6

Because the light sources produce exactly the same wavelengths as those that will be absorbed by the sample