An atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) is a laboratory instrument that is used to determine the concentration of specific elements in a sample. It works by measuring the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by atoms in the sample, and is commonly used to analyze samples for the presence of metals such as copper, lead, and zinc.
AAS instruments consist of a light source, a monochromator to select the wavelength of light to be used, a sample chamber, and a detector. The sample is placed in the sample chamber, and the light source is used to shine a beam of light through the sample. The monochromator selects the specific wavelength of light that is absorbed by the atoms in the sample, and the detector measures the intensity of the absorbed light.
The concentration of the element in the sample can then be calculated based on the amount of absorbed light. AAS instruments are highly sensitive and can detect trace amounts of elements in a sample, making them an important tool in a variety of applications, including environmental monitoring, food and beverage analysis, and pharmaceutical research.
