Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (Flame Photometry)

Summary In the experiment 5 standard solutions of varying calcium concentrations were created. These were aspirated through Atomic Emission Spectroscopy and the results noted and entered in to a line graph to confirm the calcium concentration. The main aim was to find out the calcium concentrations of tap water and Strathmore spring water. These were also aspirated which gave the results of 12 mgdm -3 (ppm) for the tap water and 41.4 mgdm-3 (ppm) for the Strathmore spring water. Keywords Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Flame Photometry, Standard solution Introduction Atomic emission spectroscopy (Flame Photometry) is used in the analysis of earth metal ion concentrations. In this case calcium. It uses the intensity of light emitted from a flame at a particular wavelength to determine the quantity of an element in a sample. The wavelength of the atomic spectral line gives the identity of the element while the intensity of the emitted light is proportional to the number of atoms of the element. Therefor it detects the amount of a particular atom in a substance. A sample of the analyte is brought into the flame as a gas or sprayed solution. The liquid is evaporated and the chemical bonds are broken down by the heat from the flame to create free atoms. The atoms are introduced into an excited electronic states by thermal energy and subsequently emit light when they return to the ground electronic state. Each element emits light at a characteristic wavelength. The aim of the experiment was to demonstrate the use of the instrument (Model 410 classic flame photometer) and to carry out a series of quantitive analysis including finding the calcium content in Strathmore Still Spring Water and tap water.

Methods Preperation of standard solutions: 5 standard solutions were made from a stock of a standard solution containing calcium at a concentration of 300 mgdm-3(ppm). The apparatus used was pippetes and volumetric flasks. Working standards were prepared to the following table: Solution 1 2 3 4 5 Volume of stock solution (cm3) 1.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 Final volume (cm3) 100 100 100 100 100 Concentration of Calcium (mgdm-3) 3 15 30 45 60

Instrument procedure 1. The correct filter was selected for calcium. 2. Deionised water was aspirated and the galvanometer/digital reading was set to zero using the zero/blank control. 3. The standard of the highest concentration was aspirated and the galvanometer/digital reading was set to 100 using the sensitivity control. 4. Deionised water is aspirated between samples. 5. Each standard solution was aspirated in turn and galvanometer/digital readings recorded. 6. Tap water then Strathmore still spring water was then aspirated and the galvanometer/digital readings recorded.

Results Table of Emissions against Calcium Concentrations (mgdm-3) Solution 1 2 3 4 5 Tap water Strathmore still spring water Calculations Standard solution: Volume of stock solution (cm3) / Final volume (cm3) x Conc. Of Stock solution (mgdm-3) = Conc. Of Ca (mgdm-3) Solution 1 1.0 / 100 x 300 = 3 Solution 2 5.0 / 100 x 300 = 15 Solution 3 10.0 / 100 x 300 = 30 Solution 4 15.0 / 100 x 300 = 45 Solution 5 20.0 / 100 x 300 = 60 Emissions 5 25 52 75 101 20 69 Concentration of Calcium (mgdm-3) 3.0 15.0 31.2 45.0 60.6 12.0 41.4

Emission to Conc. Of Ca calculation: E = Emission K = Constant C = Concentration of Ca (mgdm-3)

K=C/E = 3/5

C = 3/5 x E

Tap water Ca concentration (mgdm-3) = 3/5 x 20 = 12 Strathmore still spring water Ca concentration (mgdm-3) = 3/5 x 69 = 41.4

Discussion/Errors Possible errors:

Conclusions In conclusion the aim to find the Calcium concentration of Strathmore spring water and tap water was successful. Strathmore spring water had a concentration of 41.4 mgdm-3 (ppm) and tap water had a concentration of 12 mgdm-3 (ppm).