Question

Which ONE of the following statements is TRUE about atomic spectroscopy?

a) No source is required in atomic emission spectroscopy.
b) In ICP AES the plasma is at a temperature of about 3000° C.
c) In ICP AES most non-metallic elements can be analyzed.
d) In graphite furnace AAS, the furnace reaches 500° C.
e) Samples are analyzed as solutions in organic solvents.

Answer 1

The true statement about atomic spectroscopy is that in ICP AES the plasma is at a temperature of about 3000° C.

Step-by-step explanation:

In atomic emission spectroscopy, a source is required to excite the atoms to higher energy levels, causing them to emit light. So statement a) is not true.

In ICP AES, the plasma is indeed at a temperature of about 3000° C, so statement b) is true.

In ICP AES, most non-metallic elements can be analyzed, so statement c) is true.

In graphite furnace AAS, the furnace reaches a temperature of about 2000-3000° C, so statement d) is not true.

Samples in atomic spectroscopy are usually analyzed as solutions in water or another suitable solvent, not organic solvents. So statement e) is not true.

In conclusion, the true statement about atomic spectroscopy is option b) In ICP AES the plasma is at a temperature of about 3000° C.