Experiment 2: Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Name: Janelle Duffy-Barry

Student ID: 112316966
Lab Partners: Alex Lonergan and John Lyons
Date of Experiment: 30/01/15
Demonstrator: Aoife Kennedy

1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this experiment is to use atomic absorption spectrometry to analyse solutions of
magnesium ions and calcium ions and then determining the concentration of calcium and
magnesium in tap water.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is an analytical chemistry technique that helps determine the
concentration of elements in a given sample. By making solutions of known concentration of calcium
and magnesium ions, the absorbance of the known samples can be compared to the absorbance of
the tap water to determine the concentration of the ions. The technique makes use of wavelengths
of light specifically absorbed by an element. It corresponds to the energy needed to excite electrons
from one energy level to another. Atomic absorption is used in chemistry, environmental and
pharmaceutical analysis.

Figure 1: Simple schematic of an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer.i

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry relies on the principle of Beer-Lambert Law. The Beer-Lambert Law
describes the linear relationship between absorbance and concentration. The general expression for
Beer-Lambert Law is:ii

= log ( )

Or

log ( ) =

Where is the initial intensity of light, A is the absorbance, I is the intensity passing though the
sample, is the molar absorption coefficient, l is the path length of light and c is the concentration of
the solution. The molar absorption coefficient is a measure of the light absorbed per unit
concentration under standard conditions. iii

Figure 2: Linear relationship between Absorbance and concentration.iv

The Beer-Lambert fails when concentrations are very high.

2 PROCEDURE
As per manual

3 RESULTS
+
Wavelength: 284.5 nm

Magnesium 2+
Concentration / ppm Absorbance
0.2
0.08
0.4
0.143
0.6
0.21
0.8
0.272
1
0.359
Table 1: Concentrations of magnesium ion solutions and absorbance.

Figure 3: Graph showing absorbance vs concentration of magnesium ion solutions.

Absorbance of the Tap Water sample: 0.065
Calculate concentration of Magnesium ions in Tap Water:
Equation of the line:

= 0.3483 + 0.0032
= 0.065
0.065 0.0032
=
0.3483

Concentration of 2+ ions:

= 0.177 (multiply by 10)

= 1.77
+
Wavelength: 422.5 nm

Calcium 2+
Concentration / ppm Absorbance
0.4
0.011
0.8
0.025
1.2
0.03
1.6
0.033
2
0.033
Table 2: Concentrations and absorbance of calcium ion solutions.

Figure 4: Graph showing absorbance vs concentrations of calcium ion solutions.

Absorbance of Tap Water solution: 0.018
Calculate Concentration of Calcium ions in Tap Water:
Equation of the line:

= 0.0169 + 0.0051
= 0.018
0.018 0.0051
=
0.0169

Concentration of Calcium ions: = 0.763 (multiply by 10)

= 7.63

4 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The results found for magnesium ion concentration seem quite accurate as the graph shows that the
results obey Beer-Lambert Law. There were errors in finding the concentration of calcium ions as the
graph does not agree well with Beer-Lambert Law. The errors could have been cause by inaccurate
concentrations of the solutions. The solutions could have been diluted too much or too little and this
would have altered the results. The solutions might not have had enough to time to settle before
measuring. It is recommended to wait 15 minutes before measuring to ensure that the solutions to
completely settle after making them.
Drinking water can be an important source of magnesium and calcium which can contribute to the
recommended dietary intake. Magnesium is important for functioning the enzymes in the human
body. Having good magnesium levels in water can help contribute to better health as it helps
regulate blood pressure, contraction of muscles, heart rhythm and it helps with the nervous system.
v

Calcium is the main contributor to hard water. This can cause problems with lime scale in household
appliances that use water. It can damage kettles, washing machines and boilers. Calcium can be
removed from water by boiling. Hard water is not hazardous the health. It is good to have small
amounts of calcium in drinking water as calcium is good for human health. Calcium helps with bone
strength and reduces risk of cardiovascular disease.vi
Having magnesium and calcium in drinking water is helpful for health benefits but it damages
appliances.
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry is a very useful technique for analysis. It is a sensitive method and
can detect concentrations in parts per billion. It is used in many areas such as clinical research when
analysing blood and urine, it is used for manufacturing pharmaceutical compounds, in industry and is
used for analysing water in the environment. It helps with detecting pollution in water. Preparing
samples for preparation is quick and simple, making this an efficient process.
A disadvantage of this method is that there can be background absorption as well as absorption of
the sample being analysed. This can cause interference and inaccurate readings of the element that
is being recorded.
The experiment appeared to have accurate readings for magnesium but not for calcium. To ensure
more accurate readings, the process should be repeated for multiple values and taking an average.
i

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kau.edu.sa%2FFiles%2F130002%2FFiles%2F6785_
AAs.pdf&embedded=true
ii
http://elchem.kaist.ac.kr/vt/chem-ed/spec/beerslaw.htm
iii
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/analysis/uvvisible/beerlambert.html
iv
http://teaching.shu.ac.uk/hwb/chemistry/tutorials/molspec/beers1.htm
v
http://www.lef.org/Magazine/2007/2/report_water/Page-01
vi
http://www.water-research.net/index.php/water-treatment/tools/hard-water-hardness