Analytical Chemistry Basics

This index provides an introduction to some of the fundamental concepts and methods of analytical chemistry. The topics are arranged in the order in which they are commonly presented in an undergraduate analytical chemistry course. Many of the documents listed here contain links to introductory material and related topics.

General steps in a chemical analysis

An introduction to the processes and protocols of analytical chemistry

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Chemical equilibrium

Review of chemical equilibrium and equilibrium constants.

 

Gravimetric analysis

Introduction to gravimetric analysis and solubility products with links to precipitation reactions.

 

Titration

Introduction to titrations with links to acid-base chemistry.

 

Electrochemistry

Introduction to electrochemistry with links to oxidation-reduction reactions.

 

Spectroscopy

Introduction to spectroscopy with descriptions of absorption, emission, scattering, and links to the Beer-Lambert Law and advanced examples.

 

Separations

Introduction to separation science with basic descriptions of partitioning, extractions, chromatography, and electrophoresis.

 

Appendix: Data Analysis

Definitions of accuracy and precision, and basic rules for significant figures and errors. Introduction to treatment of experimental data and graphs and graphical methods. Links to statistical methods pages.

 

Appendix: Analytical Standards

Definitions of primary and secondary standards, and working curves.