The absorbance reading of an element is observed in an atomic absorption spectrometer. Would the readings increase, decrease or stay the same if: (please explain) Thank you
a) viscosity of the solution increased or decreased?
b) the solution had a lot of dust particles?
c) the slit width was increased from the sample absorption, but the standards were run on a narrower slit width?
a. Increased viscosity makes it harder for the sample to be aspirated into the flame; therefore, the reading would be ....
b. I suspect the dust particles would deflect/reflect/scatter much of the light going to the instrument; therefore, the reading would ....'
c. Wider slits mean more light getting to the instrument so ......
Thanks dude
a) If the viscosity of the solution increased or decreased, it would affect the absorbance readings. The viscosity of a solution refers to its resistance to flow.
If the viscosity of the solution increased, it means the solution became more resistant to flow. This would result in slower movement of the solution through the spectrometer's sample chamber. As a result, the element's absorption signal would have more time to be detected and measured, leading to higher absorbance readings.
Conversely, if the viscosity of the solution decreased, it means the solution became less resistant to flow. This would result in faster movement of the solution through the spectrometer's sample chamber. As a result, the element's absorption signal would have less time to be detected and measured, leading to lower absorbance readings.
b) If the solution had a lot of dust particles, it would also affect the absorbance readings. Dust particles can scatter light, leading to a decrease in the intensity of light reaching the detector of the spectrometer. As a result, the absorbance readings would be lower than expected.
c) If the slit width was increased from the sample absorption while the standards were run on a narrower slit width, it would also affect the absorbance readings. The slit width refers to the width of the entrance and exit slits in the spectrometer.
Increasing the slit width during the sample absorption would allow more light to pass through, resulting in higher intensity reaching the detector. Consequently, the absorbance readings would be lower because the increased intensity of light would lead to a decrease in absorbance.
On the other hand, if the standards were run on a narrower slit width, less light would pass through, resulting in lower intensity reaching the detector. As a result, the absorbance readings obtained from the standards would be higher because of their higher absorbance.