Pennsylvania Lead Inspector Practice Test

Which statement about Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption is true?

It uses a graphite furnace as the atomization source. It uses a flame as the atomization source. It uses a laser as the atomization source. It does not involve atomization.

Correct Answer:

It uses a graphite furnace as the atomization source.

Explanation:

Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption relies on atomizing the sample inside a graphite tube. A tiny amount of sample is placed in the graphite furnace and heated electrically through a programmed sequence (drying, char, and final atomization). The resulting free atoms absorb light at the element’s characteristic wavelength, and the amount of absorption is related to concentration, giving very high sensitivity due to the small, highly controlled atomization volume. This approach differs from flame AAS, which uses a flame as the atomization source, and from methods that use lasers or other techniques. And atomization is essential here; without turning the sample into free atoms in the vapor phase, there would be no absorption measurement.

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