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In the last video, we understood the concept
and working of an atomic absorption spectroscopy.
If you haven’t checked the video yet, you
can find the links in the description.
In this video, let us try to understand the
theory of atomic emission spectroscopy.
This phenomena works by exciting an atom to
a higher energy level and then studying the
energy emitted by the electron when it falls
back to its initial energy level.
So basically we are interested in the emissions
given out by atoms.
By studying the emissions, the user can identify
the type of electron as well as its quantity.
This means that one can perform both qualitative
and quantitative analysis on the sample under
study.
Let us proceed by understanding the construction
of this instrument.
The first component is the sample holder.
As seen here, this instrument is made up of
atomiser with flow controls for oxygen and
fuel.
The atomiser converts the sample to aerosol
and passes this aerosolized sample to the
next unit.
The next component is the flame.
The flame is employed to heat the aerosolized
sample and provide energy to the atoms present
in the sample.
The atoms take up this energy and go to higher
atomic state.
The flame is followed by a monochromator which
filters out the wavelength and the final part
of the instrument is the detector and display.
Now let us understand the working of this
unit.
As stated earlier, the sample is first converted
into aerosol form.
Then this aerosol is made to pass into the
flame.
The aerosol contains the atoms from the sample.
Once in the flame, these atoms absorb energy.
The energy differences between the atomic
states is different for different atoms.
As a result, different atoms will absorb different
amounts of energy as required by them.
These atoms cannot remain in the higher energy
state for too long.
As a result, they fall back to their original
atomic state by releasing energy.
The energy is released in the form of photons.
They are atomic emissions.
The analysis is performed by studying these
emissions.
As discussed earlier, the different atoms
will have different energy levels.
As a result, the energy emitted by atoms will
be different for different atoms.
Hence, the emissions will have different wavelengths.
From this wavelength, the experimenter is
able to identify the type of atoms.
Similarly, the intensity of the emissions
is dependent upon the concentration or the
quantity of the atoms present.
If more the number of atoms, more is the intensity
and vice versa.
In this manner, one can identify a particular
atom present in the sample and its concentration.
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Until next time, stay calm and keep learning.
Peace out.
