TABLE OF CONTENTS This part deals with the language associated with carrying out the analysis.
Analysis is about finding the amount of the substance of interest (analyte) in the sample.
Characterisation
Confirmatory
False negative
False positive
Macro
Major
Micro
Minor
Qualitative
Quantitative
Screening
Semi-micro
Semi-quantitative
Trace
Ultra-micro
Ultra-trace
An analyst normally tests a sample to identify the components in the sample and/or determine the amount of some or all of these components.
The test may be to identify an unknown white powder, e.g. is it sugar or heroin? The test may be to determine the amount of Ag per cm 2 of photographic paper.
Qualitative analysis is the process of determining if a particular analyte is present in a sample or the identity of the sample.
Often the identification of the analyte in the matrix provides insufficient information. The analyst, as well as identifying an analyte, will be required to measure the amount of analyte present in the sample.
Identification of an unknown substance, e.g. analysing an insulation board to determine if it contains asbestos.
Quantitative analysis is the process of measuring the amount of the analyte that is present in the sample matrix.
Determination of the concentration of nitrate ions, mg L ?1 in a water sample, or the amount of fat, mg kg ?1, in margarine.
It is not always necessary to identify an analytical species. Sometimes it is...
