Elemental analysis

Question 1

What is elemental analysis

Answer 1

• a process where a sample is analysed for its elemental composition
• e.g. calcium in milk and iron in blood

Question 2

What is nebulisation

Answer 2

creating small aerosols

Question 3

what is atomisation

Answer 3

creating free atoms

Question 4

what is ionisation

Answer 4

creating free ions

Question 5

What is atomic spectroscopy

Answer 5

designed to analyse solutions via a nebuliser and free atoms via atomisation

Question 6

What is AAS

Answer 6

absorption

light of specific wavelength is absorbed when an electron in the atom jumps to a higher energy level

Question 7

what is AES

Answer 7

emission

light of specific wavelength is emitted when the electron in an excited atom jumps to lower energy level

Question 8

What is AMS

Answer 8

mass

ions are separated according to the mass to charge ratio

Question 9

What is X ray spectroscopy

Answer 9

involves inner shell electrons, high energy electrons, particles or photons hit an atom they can kick out electrons from their inner shells to which electrons in outer shells drop down and the difference in energy is released as a photon of radiation in the x ray rsnge

Question 10

What is X ray fluorescence

Answer 10

using primary x rays to excite the samples atoms and causes them to emit their secondary characteristic x rays