Which one of the following analyses is best performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy?
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 2
Which one of the following analyses is best performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy?
A. measuring the amount of potassium in salt
B. determining the amount of... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which one of the following analyses is best performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy?
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. measuring the amount of potassium in salt
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Answer
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is particularly effective for determining the concentration of metals in samples. Potassium is a metal, and AAS allows for the accurate measurement of its concentration in salt samples.
Step 2
B. determining the amount of caffeine in coffee
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Answer
While AAS can analyze elements, caffeine is not a metal but an organic compound. Therefore, other techniques such as HPLC would be more appropriate for this analysis.
Step 3
C. measuring the carbonate content of mineral water
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Answer
Carbonates are typically analyzed using techniques like titration rather than AAS, as AAS is not designed for non-metallic compounds.
Step 4
D. detecting the presence of ethanoic acid in a sample of wine
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Answer
Ethanoic acid (acetic acid) is also an organic compound and is not suitable for analysis by AAS, which focuses on metallic elements.
