8- Atomic absorption
o Measures absorption of defined wavelength of light by ground-state atoms. Atoms absorb light and make transitions to higher energy levels. Measure the light ABSORBED
· In the flam atomic absorption, the patient specimen is vaporized into an acetylene flame and is dispersed into the light path (thermal atomization).
· The flameless atomic absorption requires an instrument modification that uses an electric furnace to break chemical bonds (electrothermal atomization).
· A hollow-cathode lamp containing one given metal, when excited it emits a light wavelength unique for this metal.
· Metal atoms in the ground state from patient specimen absorb the light energy from the cathode tube.
· Atomic Absorption is only suited for metallic substances that are not destroyed by the flame - Everything else gets “fried” for example copper