Flame photometers

Date

1995

Authors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

WHO

Abstract

Flame photometers are used routinely for the measurement of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) in body fluids. More sophisticated instruments can also measure calcium (Ca). In flame photometry, an aqueous salt solution is dispersed in air. The salt in the dispersed droplets is transferred into a gaseous state by heating with a flame, and then quickly disintegrates into gaseous atoms. Above a critical temperature the atoms absorb energy, which excites the electrons into higher energy states. When the excited electrons return to their original state, they emit the absorbed energy as light. The wavelength of the light emitted by each metal is characteristic for that element. The intensity of the light emitted at the given wavelength is proportional to the number of excited metal atoms and can be measured with a suitable optical filter and photodetector.

Description

Keywords

Flame Photometer

Citation

DOI