Analytical Techniques February 7, 2014

Liam Magrath pg. 1

ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy A technique used to determine types of ions
present and the concentration of those ion in solution.

A light is shined on a solution

- If the solution contains the same ion as the light source, light will be absorbed
because the elections in the sodium ions are exposed to energy EXACTLY
EQUAL to particular electron transitions.

- If you shine light from a source into a vessel which does not contain the same
ion, no light will be absorbed.

What can be determined from differences in light intensity?
Types of ions present.
- If light shined from a sodium source into the solution and there is a difference
in intensity, sodium is present.
- If light shined from strontium source into the solution and there is no
difference in intensity, strontium is not present.


Difference in light intensity (absorbance) is a measure of concentration.
- If light intensity is small, the concentration is small.
- If light intensity is large, the concentration is large.
if there are more ions in solution, there are more electrons, which can
absorb the energy and therefore reduce the intensity of the light exiting the
solution.