5 Practical Applications of Atomic Spectroscopy

Atomic spectroscopy sounds like such a complicated term when you read it for the first time. But do not worry, it isn’t as complicated as it sounds, and the slight complications that it does have will be clarified today in this article.

So basically, atomic spectroscopy – as the word ‘atomic’ says – is mostly used for materials relating to the atom. In scientific terms, atomic spectroscopy is mainly used for determining trace metals in given samples – be it organic or inorganic matrices.

Certain techniques are used for atomic spectroscopy, like atomic emission spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The newest technique developed is called atomic fluorescence spectroscopy.

In emission spectroscopy, the atoms are vaporized by thermal energy input by the process of either combustion or electrical discharge. The emission intensity is hence proportional to the concentration and temperature of the system.

In the next technique, the absorption technique, incident radiation on the metal vapor causes electronic transitions from the metal’s ground state to a particular required excited state. So hence, the ratio of the transmitted power to the incident power will be proportional to concentration.

The last and latest technique, the atomic fluorescence spectroscopy technique, uses radiation impinging on the given sample of metal vapor and causes the promotion of electrons into the required excited state. With the emission of radiation, the electrons return to their ground state. This technique requires a detector to be placed at an angle to the incident radiation.

Now that we know a bit about atomic spectroscopy, let us venture into today’s topic.

So without further ado, here we have;

Five practical applications of atomic spectroscopy

1. Elemental Analysis

Atomic Spectroscopy has wide application in elemental analysis. They are based on the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the atoms. They are used to identify the elements by passing the radiation. The wavelength of the atomic spectral line received gives identity to the particular elements.

Measurement and studies need precise calculations and devices, so you should have it only from a trusted brand in your lab. Agilent absorption spectroscopy is one such device that offers accuracy, which promises to span instruments, consumables, standards, services, software, and more.

2. Pharmacology uses

In the pharmaceutical industry, atomic spectroscopy technique machines can be used to determine the purity of a metal catalyst in a specific drug. In pharmaceutical companies, the drug’s safety with the least –or nill – side effects possible is the best way to go for any drug to be used. So after the purification of a drug, to see if the metal catalyst has also been purified or not, atomic spectroscopy machines are used.

3. Environmental scientists

Scientists concerned and studying the environment use atomic spectroscopy machines to check and monitor the levels of metal pollutants in the soil and water.

Due to the rising industrial pollution and global warming, the amount of toxic metals that make their way into our soil and water is alarming. We use these machines based on atomic spectroscopy that helps us in detecting the levels of these harmful toxic metals in our soil so that we remain safe.

4. Mining industry

With the booming jewelry business, the number of counterfeits and fakes has also increased. So it is very common to see people being scammed and fooled by jewelers that sell certain jewel items like rings and bracelets, which are made of silver or plastic but coated with precious metals like gold or silver, and sold as gold jewelry. So many are scammed of hundreds of dollars, thinking what they are buying is gold, but it turns out to be fake. So these machines are used to detect the presence and quantity of these precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, etc.

5. Food

Atomic spectroscopy techniques and machines are also used to detect harmful or toxic metals that can be mixed into our food. Unfortunately, many fraudulent companies will try to cut costs and losses and add harmful and toxic substances to our food – specially packaged food – and we will never know because the food we consume wasn’t tested.

So health specialists will always go for food that has been tested by machines like this atomic spectroscopy technique machines since they can and have already tested for trace metals which can pose a risk to our health and wellness.

Ending Note

So now that we have a few practical applications of atomic spectroscopy that we have discussed today in this article, one thing that you need to understand is that atomic spectroscopy does not end here. This information is a mere 1% – or even less – than what the actual subject entails. So if you are curious about this topic, you should go and start your research and learn more!