Atomic-Absorption Spectroscopy Prelab

Question #4

The purpose of the ashing step when using the graphite furnace is to:

  1. Vaporize metal atoms to be analyzed.
  2. Burn off organic species that would interfere with the elemental analysis.
  3. Convert the graphite furnace to ash to avoid carbide formation.
  4. Cause the metal species to form carbides which are more volatile.

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