Analytical Spectrometry
The set of energy levels associated with a particular substance is a unique characteristic of that substance
and determines the frequencies at which electromagnetic radiation can be absorbed or emitted.
Qualitative information regarding the composition and structure of a sample is obtained through a study
of the positions and relative intensities of spectral lines or bands. Quantitative analysis is possible
because of the direct proportionality between the intensity of a particular line or band and the number of
atoms or molecules undergoing the transition. The various spectrometric techniques commonly used for
analytical purposes and the type of information they provide are given in Table 7.1.
Table 7.1 Analytical spectrometric techniques
Name of technique Principle Major applicationsatomic emissionqualitative and quantitative determination of
metals, largely as minor or trace constituents
quantitative determination of
metals as minor or trace
constituentsatomic fluorescence emissionqualitative and quantitative determination of
elements heavier than nitrogen as trace to major
constituents
quantitative determination of
metals at minor or trace
constituents
atomic absorption spectrometry atomic absorption quantitative determination of metals as minor or
trace constituents
γ-spectrometry nuclear emission qualitative and quantitative determination of
elements at trace levelsmolecular absorptionquantitative determination of elements and
compounds, mainly at trace levels
quantitative determination of
elements and compounds, mainly
as trace and minor constituents
identification and structural
analysis of organic compounds
nuclear magnetic resonance
spectrometrynuclear absorption identification and structural analysis of organic
compounds
mass spectrometry structural fragmentation or
ionization of atomsidentification and structural analysis of organic
compounds
identification and determinations of
elements and isotopes at trace
levels