Analyitical Chemistry

I- Introduction

The Scope of Analytical Chemistry:

Analytical chemistry has bounds which are amongst the widest of any technological discipline. An analyst must be able to design, carry out, and interpret his measurements within the context of the fundamental technological problem with which he is presented. The selection and utilization of suitable chemical procedures requires a wide knowledge of chemistry, whilst familiarity with and the ability to operate a varied range of instruments is essential. Finally, an analyst must have a sound knowledge of the statistical treatment of experimental data to enable him to gauge the meaning and reliability of the results that he obtains.

When an examination is restricted to the identification of one or more constituents of sample, it is known as qualitative analysis, while an examination to determine how much of a particular species is present constitutes a quantitative analysis. Sometimes information concerning the spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule or crystalline compounds is required or confirmation of the presence or position of certain organic functional groups is sought. Such examinations are described as structural analysis and they may be considered as more detailed forms of analysis. Any species that are the subjects of either qualitative or quantitative analysis are known as anlayte.

The Function of Analytical Chemistry:

Some of the major areas of application are listed below.

(a) Fundamental research:

The first steps in unraveling the details of an unknown system frequently involve the identification of its constituents by qualitative chemical analysis. Follow up investigations usually require structural information and quantitative measurements. This pattern appears in such diverse areas as the formulation of new drugs, the examination of meteorites, and studies on the results of heavy ion bombardment by nuclear physicists.

(b) Product development:

The design and...