This document describes the components and operation of an atomic absorption spectrometer. It consists of: 1. A flame to atomize samples 2. Lamps that emit specific wavelengths of light 3. A detector that measures the absorption of light 4. A system to aspirate liquid samples into the flame 5. A computer that controls the experiment and analyzes results The document explains how the spectrometer is used to analyze unknown samples by comparing readings to standard solutions of known concentrations. Results for a maple syrup sample showing its concentration are also presented.

1. VIJAY
JRF
GITAM UNIVERSITY

6. The instrument consists of:
1. A flame
2. Lamps to produce the correct wavelength
of light
3. A detector
4. A system to aspirate solutions into the
flame
5. A computer to control the experiment

7. On the left is the flame (behind
the grid) and the spectrometer.
The two bottles contain water
used for flushing the tubing and
for diluting solutions that are
too concentrated. The round
object is a pump.
On the right is a cabinet
containing the lamps shown on
a later slide.
The flame, like all large burners,
is vented at the top.

8. From bottom to top,
the lamps are for Mg,
Ca, K, and a
combination of Fe,
Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, and
Cr. Each element uses
a specific wavelength
of light.

9. The flame is with
only water being
aspirated.
The two holes, left
and right, are
where the light
beam enters and
leaves after passing
through the flame.
The dark place at
the top is a stain
from the heat of
the flame.

10. Current spectrometers use a PC Computer to control the
experment.
There needs to be standards (solutions of known
concentration) to calibrate the instrument.
The experiment must be setup in the program controlling
the experiment with
 Ions to be analyzed
 Concentration of the standards
 Number of points to be measured
 Wavelength of light
 Lamp Position

11. A set of
standards
ready to be
aspirated into
the flame. This
instrument
automatically
dilutes the
solution.

12. A sample of
maple
syrup ready
to be
aspirated
into the
flame.

13. The solution
being
measured
has an
absorbance
of 0.068
which
corresponds
to a
concentration
of 10.2 ppm

14. The following slides show the colors of
different ions in the flame.The
differences in intensity of the colors is, in
part, due to differences in concentration.

15. The calcium
flame is
red. This is
intensely
red
because
the calcium
content is
high.

20. The computer stores the data which can be
printed.
The experiment can be set up to show the
calibration curve and the concentrations
on the screen.To get reliable
concentrations, the program must be told
what fitting algorithm to use. As can be
seen on the screen shown previously, the
calibration data are not linear in that
instance.

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