Which modern analytical instrument is best suited for detecting trace levels of pollutants in air samples?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which modern analytical instrument is best suited for detecting trace levels of pollutants in air samples?
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer
Fluorescence Spectrometer
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is highly effective for detecting trace levels of volatile and semi-volatile pollutants in air samples.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: Which modern analytical instrument is best suited for detecting trace levels of pollutants in air samples?
Solution: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is highly effective for detecting trace levels of volatile and semi-volatile pollutants in air samples.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that pollutants in the air can be present in very small amounts, known as trace levels.
Step 2: Learn that detecting these small amounts requires sensitive and precise instruments.
Step 3: Identify that Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a technique that combines two methods: gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Step 4: Recognize that gas chromatography separates different compounds in a sample, while mass spectrometry identifies and quantifies them.
Step 5: Conclude that GC-MS is highly effective for detecting trace levels of volatile and semi-volatile pollutants in air samples.
