Other Instrumental Methods Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What is an instrumental method of chemical analysis?

It is a way to find out what a substance is by using a machine or instrument. It does not rely only on simple test-tube reactions.

Why are instrumental methods described as very sensitive?

They can detect very small amounts of a substance, even when only a tiny sample is available.

Why are instrumental methods usually faster than traditional chemical tests?

The machines measure and record results quickly and can test many samples in a short time.

Give one disadvantage of using instrumental methods.

They are expensive to buy and run, and they need trained people to use and maintain them.

What does a mass spectrometer do to the particles in a sample?

It turns the particles into ions and measures their masses and how many of each type there are.

How can mass spectrometry help identify an unknown substance?

It produces a pattern of ion masses that is like a fingerprint. This can be matched with data stored on a computer to identify the substance.

What does infrared (IR) spectroscopy do with infrared light?

It shines infrared light through a sample and measures which parts of the light are absorbed.

How can infrared spectroscopy be used in environmental or safety checks?

It can detect certain gases in the air, such as pollutant gases, from their unique infrared absorption pattern.

Why are computers important in many instrumental methods?

They control the instruments, store large amounts of results, and help compare patterns with known samples.