This document presents an introduction to flame photometry. It discusses how flame photometry uses atomic emission spectrometry to determine the concentration of certain metal ions like sodium, potassium, calcium, and lithium when introduced into a flame. The metal ions are volatilized in the flame and their intensity is measured. However, flame photometry has limitations in that only a limited number of elements can be analyzed, samples must be in solution, small sample amounts are difficult to analyze, and other impurities can mix in during solubilization potentially causing errors. References on the topic are also provided.

1. FLAME PHOTOMETRY
PRESENTED BY,
YOGITA RAYATE
M.pharm first year
Pharmaceutics

2. INTRODUCTION
• Flame photometry (more accurately called Flame
Atomic Emission Spectrometry)is a branch of
spectroscopy in which the species examined in
the spectrometer are in the form of atoms
• A photoelectric flame photometer is an
instrument used in inorganic chemical analysis to
determine the concentration of certain metal ions
among them sodium, potassium, calcium and
lithium.
• Flame Photometry is based on measurement of
intensity of the light emitted when a metal is
introduced into flame.

11. LIMITATIONS
 Limited number of elements that can be analyzed.
 The sample requires to be introduced as solution
into fine droplets. Many metallic salts, soil, plant
and other compounds are insoluble in common
solvents. Hence, they can’t be analyzed by this
method.
 Since sample is volatilized, if small amount of
sample is present, it is tough to analyze by this
method. As some of it gets wasted by
vaporization.
 Further during solubilisation with solvents, other
impurities might mix up with sample and may
lead to errors in the spectra obse

12. REFERENCES-
 A TEXTBOOK OF PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS,VOL.2nd,BY
Dr.A.V. KASTURE&Dr.K.R.MAHADIK,PAGES-23.1to23.8
 INSTRUMENTAL METHODS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS,1 st
EDITION,BY GURDEEP CHATWAL,PAGES-2.367 -2.380