Analytical Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry

The science of measurements and characterization.

Qualitative Analysis

A type of analysis that determines which substances are present in a sample.

Quantitative Analysis

A type of analysis that determines how much of each substance is present in a sample.

Target Species

The specific substance being measured in an analytical procedure.

Detection Method

The technique used to identify the target species in the presence of other substances.

Accuracy

The degree to which a measurement is close to the true value.

Analytical Procedure

A series of steps taken to conduct an analysis

Analyte

The specific substance in a sample that is being analyzed.

Matrix

Everything else in the sample besides the analyte

Selective Method

A technique that responds only to the analyte of interest.

Blank

An analysis of a sample without the analyte, used for calibration.

Reference Materials

Samples with known concentrations used to calibrate instruments.

Replicate Samples

Multiple portions of the same sample analyzed to assess method precision.

Detection Limit

The smallest concentration of a substance that can be reliably distinguished from a blank sample.

Precision

How close repeated measurements are to each other, indicating reproducibility.

Systematic Errors

Errors that affect all measurements in the same way, often due to calibration issues.

Random Errors

Variations in measurements under identical conditions, affecting precision.

Interference

A substance that affects the measurement of the analyte, leading to inaccuracies.

Specific Techniques

Techniques that work for one specific analyte.

Selective Techniques

Techniques that work for a small number of analytes.