Hey guys/girls,
My friend asked me this question, but I cant seem to find the
answer to this. He is in IB program so quite different from A
levels.
In Analytical Chemistry, there are several spectroscopy
methods.
2 of them are Atomic Absorption and UV-Vis.
Both apparently can be used to detect and quantify the
concentration of metal ions present in a sample.
So when do we know which method to use? Are there any significant
advantages for one over the other?
Hope some experts here can help me to help my friend..
Thanks!!
And good luck to all taking their major exams this year!
There are many advantages and disadvantages of both methods so a
more specific question of what your friend wanna analyse would make
it eaiser to offer help.
AAS does elemental analysis, u need to change the AAS lamp for
each different metal. Eg a Na lamp can only be use to analyse Na
and not K etc.
UV can analyse multiple compounds but for UV-vis to work, the
compound must firstly be able to absorb UV light in the first place
or be coloured to absorb vis light. If they can't then UV cannot be
use. The peak absorbance of the mixture cannot be too similar as
well if not the results will overlap and it might be harder for
analysis.
Wiki is a good source for info if your friend wants to know more
about the 2 methods since theres quite alot to compare about the 2
of them and i don't feel like doing an essay on them.