Sign In

Atomization, converting samples into gas-phase atoms and ions, is essential for atomic spectroscopy. The flame temperature required for atomization affects the efficiency of the atomic spectroscopic methods by increasing the atomization efficiency and the relative population of the excited and ground states.

At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature from 2500 K to 2600 K can increase the population of excited-state sodium atoms by 45%, while the ground-state population decrease is negligible. Since atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) relies on photon emission from these excited states, it is highly temperature-dependent. In contrast, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS) primarily depend on the ground-state population and have less significant temperature dependence. However, for easily ionizable elements, an increase in flame temperature causes a loss of atoms by ionization, adversely affecting absorption and fluorescence spectral intensity.

In addition, for atomic spectroscopy overall, higher temperature increases the velocity of the atoms, making the Doppler effect more pronounced. This results in the broadening of atomic spectral lines and decreasing peak height.

From Chapter 14:

article

Now Playing

14.2 : Atomic Spectroscopy: Effects of Temperature

Atomic Spectroscopy

208 Views

article

14.1 : Atomic Spectroscopy: Absorption, Emission, and Fluorescence

Atomic Spectroscopy

560 Views

article

14.3 : Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Overview

Atomic Spectroscopy

413 Views

article

14.4 : Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Atomic Spectroscopy

363 Views

article

14.5 : Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Radiation and Light Sources

Atomic Spectroscopy

229 Views

article

14.6 : Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods

Atomic Spectroscopy

271 Views

article

14.7 : Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference

Atomic Spectroscopy

414 Views

article

14.8 : Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab

Atomic Spectroscopy

227 Views

article

14.9 : Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview

Atomic Spectroscopy

462 Views

article

14.10 : Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Atomic Spectroscopy

226 Views

article

14.11 : Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Interference

Atomic Spectroscopy

100 Views

article

14.12 : Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle

Atomic Spectroscopy

371 Views

article

14.13 : Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Atomic Spectroscopy

134 Views

article

14.14 : Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab

Atomic Spectroscopy

110 Views

article

14.15 : Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Atomic Spectroscopy

185 Views

See More

JoVE Logo

Privacy

Terms of Use

Policies

Research

Education

ABOUT JoVE

Copyright © 2025 MyJoVE Corporation. All rights reserved