Samples and Standards: (Analytical Chemistry by Open Learning)

Part 1 of this book shows how analytical chemistry and some aspects of the wider field and analytical science relate to other areas of scientific and commercial activity. Questions like "why is the analysis to be carried out?", "is the analysis really necessary?", "what do the results mean?" and many others, are all questions that the analytical chemist has to ask either before embarking on an analysis, during an analysis, or after the results from an analysis have been obtained. The first part of the book sets out to explain the questions that the analytical chemist should pose, and attempts to show some of the ways they can be answered as well as some of the pitfalls which may occur in practice. The analyst's approach is illustrated by several case studies which set the context for analysis and form an important part of this introduction. The importance of taking, and analysing a representative sample cannot be stressed too strongly. Parts 2, 3 and 4 of this book consider the principles and theory of sampling, and go on to describe methods by which the samples may be taken and to examine typical sampling apparatus used for the sampling of solids, liquids, and gases in static and flowing situations. In any discussion of sampling it is necessary to use statistical methods to assess the precision and accuracy of a sampling procedure and Part 3 explains briefly some of the statistical theory required. The remainder of the book deals with methods of calibration, preparation of standards and evaluation of analytical procedure. As the majority of instrumental methods are comparative (ie require calibration with standard substances), the results obtained by these methods can be no better than the quality of the standards used and the care taken in producing the calibration. Consideration is given therefore to the choice of standard substances, the use of reference materials and methods of checking analytical performance. Like other titles in the "Analytical Chemistry by Open Learning" series, "Samples and Standards" provides a uniquely comprehensive and integrated coverage of analytical chemistry, covering basic concepts, classical methods and instrumental techniques. The learning objectives are clearly identified and the student's understanding of the material is constantly challenged by self- assessment questions with reinforcing or remedial responses.

Table of Contents:
The Analyst's Approach; Sampling Procedures and Methods; Standardization and Calibration, Calibration Curves; Standard Addition and Internal Standard Methods; Computer Aided Calibration, Comparison of Procedures; Monitoring the Performance of Analytical Procedures.