IA 1-3

Signal

A measurable quantity that conveys information.

Noise

Unwanted disturbances that obscure or interfere with the signal in analysis.

Figures of Merit

Quantitative measures of analysis performance, including sensitivity, precision, and accuracy.

Chromatography

A technique for separating components in a mixture based on their movement through a stationary phase.

Plate Theory

A model in chromatography that describes the separation process as a series of equilibrium stages.

HETP (Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate)

A measure of the efficiency of a chromatographic column, calculated as column length divided by the number of theoretical plates.

Van Deemter Equation

An equation that describes the contribution of various factors to the band broadening in chromatography.

Retention Factor (Rf)

A ratio that describes the relative distance traveled by a compound to that traveled by the solvent front in chromatography.

Selectivity

The ability of a technique to distinguish between different analytes.

Resolution

A measure of how well two peaks in a chromatogram are separated.

Gas Chromatography (GC)

A type of chromatography that uses a gas as the mobile phase.

GC Detectors

Devices that measure the quantity of analytes as they elute from the chromatography column.

Liquid Chromatography (LC)

A chromatography technique that uses a liquid mobile phase.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

An advanced form of liquid chromatography that operates under high pressure.

Fluorescence Detection

A detection method in chromatography that measures the intensity of fluorescence emitted by the analyte.

Ion Exchange Chromatography

A technique for separating ions and polar molecules based on their affinity to the ion exchanger.

Size Exclusion Chromatography

A technique that separates molecules based on their size.

Qualitative Analysis

Analysis aimed at determining the nature or identity of substances.

Quantitative Analysis

Analysis aimed at determining the amount or concentration of substances.

Electrophoresis

A method used to separate proteins, nucleic acids, or other charged particles based on their movement in an electric field.