Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeEducationWhat Is Gravimetric Analysis? Advantages in Research and Real Life

What Is Gravimetric Analysis? Advantages in Research and Real Life

Have you studied analytical chemistry at your high school or college? There are high chances of the answer YES. Analytical chemistry is a basic subject that every college teaches to its students. Among many analyses in this subject, gravimetric analysis is also one. This analysis is a laboratory experiment. It has many uses in the field of chemistry. Today’s topic is to study those uses of gravimetric analysis along with its types. In the end, there will also be a description of the advantages and disadvantages of this analysis in research and real life. So, let’s begin our discussion with the following question without further delay.

What Do You Understand By Gravimetric Analysis?

Understanding gravimetric analysis is not a difficult task for a chemistry student. It may be difficult for a general audience. This article will try to explain it with easy language. So, an analysis performed to measure the analyst’s mass in a chemical experiment is gravimetric. It depends on measuring the masses of the two compounds. In order for the analysis to be accurate, it should meet the following conditions.

  • The ion that you want to analyze through this method must be precipitated.
  • The precipitate must be a pure compound.
  • The precipitate must hold the property of easy filtration.

This is a brief introduction to gravimetric analysis. You must take the above-mentioned three conditions while performing this analysis.

What Are The Four Types Of Gravimetric Analysis?

There are four main types of this analysis. The two of those four are the most common types and involve changes in the phase of the analyte. However, a brief description of the fundamental four types of gravimetric analysis is as follows.

  • Volatilization gravimetry
    Volatilization basically involves turning a chemical compound into vapors. It is the most popular type of this analysis and is also widely used. Due to the precipitation property of the compound, the mass of the analyte can be measured easily. The volatilization gravimetry involves breaking down or turning the chemical compounds into vapors under intense heating. The chemical decomposition method is also in use. This type of gravimetric analysis is also known as physical gravimetry.
  • Precipitation gravimetry
    The second type of this analysis is precipitation gravimetry. As the name suggests, it is all about precipitation. In this process, the researcher turns the chemical compounds into precipitates. The measuring of the mass of the compounds is very simple. Due to the filtration property of the precipitate, the research can collect its mass easily.
    Also, in this type of gravimetric analysis, a solid play a crucial role. The chemical compounds work by separating precipitate in that solid. Some kind of precipitation reaction also happens during this process. You can buy a dissertation online if you are working on a dissertation using this analysis type.
  • Electrogravimetry
    The third type of gravimetric analysis is electrogravimetry. Some researchers also call this type electrodeposition. The reaction is also eclectic in nature and involves some kind of substance. The substance most of the time is iron or any other metal. The electric process separates the chemical ions depending on their charge. Due to the charge distributions, the ions get separated, and hence the weight of the analyte gets measured.
  • Thermogravimetric
    It is the last type of this analysis. Basically, it is a thermal analysis or thermal treatment of the chemical compounds. It measures the changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of the materials. The word thermal tells there is also a role of temperature. The intense heat helps in breaking the chemical bonds of the materials. This breaking leads to the measurement of physical and chemical characteristics’ changes.
    Hence, these are the four major types of gravimetric analysis. Each type uses a different method of measuring the changes. You should memorize these as they can help you in your final year of research.
See also  Importance Of Education In Our Life

What Are The Advantages & Disadvantages Of Gravimetric Analysis In Research?

Like everything, the gravimetric analysis also has some advantages and disadvantages. Below is the description of those pros and cons.

Advantages

  • It is a very precise and accurate method to measure the mass of the analyte. Its precision can also increase if you use the modern balance.
  • You can check the sources of errors and mistakes in the analysis readily. It is possible because you can check the completeness of the precipitation.
  • Gravimetric analysis is an absolute method. It involves no calibration and only measures the direct value of the mass.
  • The cost of the analysis is also very low. The two most expensive items are platinum crucibles and muffle furnaces.
  • One other astonishing use of this analysis is that it can also measure the atomic masses of many elements. It offers an accuracy of up to six decimal digits.
  • The gravimetric analysis provides very little room for instrumental room. It also does not include many standards to know the mass.

Disadvantages

  • The primary disadvantage of this analysis is that it is very time-consuming.
  • Today’s chemists prefer other methods over this method.
  • It only provides analysis of one element or a limited number of elements at a time.
  • A minor misstep in the procedure of the step means a tragedy.

What Are The Advantages Of Gravimetric Analysis In Real Life?

Besides research, gravimetric analysis has its advantages in real life too. You can find them in the discussion below.

Advantages in real life

  • This analysis can be used to check the amount of lead in water that humans every day.
  • The nutritional information that you see on the packages of the food is also an advantage of gravimetric analysis.
  • The water companies also use this test to measure the mineral content in the water.
    These are some of the advantages of this analysis in real life. It is also necessary. because lead exceeding from normal amount can take human life.
See also  How to Get Good Grades in University Assignments?

Conclusion

Analytical chemistry is an important subject that provides useful insights into chemicals. The gravimetric analysis has many advantages in research and real life. In fact, a gravimetric, if done properly, can save the life of a human.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular

Recent Comments