1. Flame Photometry
The principles

2. Introduction
Many determinations made in the clinical laboratory are based on measurements of radiant energy
emitted, transmitted, absorbed, scattered, or reflected under controlled conditions.

3. Introduction Flame emission spectrophotometry Photometry
based on the characteristic emission of light by atoms of many metallic elements when given sufficient energy, such as that supplied by a hot flame.
Photometry
is defined as the measurement of light
Spectrophotometry
is defined as the measurement of the intensity of light at selected wavelengths.
For example,
Lithium produces a red, sodium a yellow, potassium a violet, and magnesium a blue color in a flame.

4. the light intensity of the characteristic wavelength produced by each of the atoms is directly proportional to the number of atoms that are emitting energy, which in turn is directly proportional to the concentration of the substance of interest in the sample.

5. Instrumentation of flame emission spectroscopy (FES)

6. 1)Vaporization: 2) Atomization: 3) Excitation:
The solvent is vaporized leaving particles of solid salt.
2) Atomization:
The salt is converted into free neutral gaseous atoms or radicals
3) Excitation:
Some of these atoms are excited by the thermal energy of the flame to higher

9. Excited Metal atoms
Ground State atoms

10. Emission spectrum-H
Emission spectrum-Fe (Iron)

13. Application of FES
Qualitative analysis and Quantitative analysis of Alkali and alkaline earth metals
Na,K,Ca,Mg.
Quantitative Analysis
Calibration Curve
Emission intensity vs concentration is plotted

14. Quantitative Analysis: External Standard Method

15. Quantitative Analysis: Internal Standard Method

16. Limitation of FES The number of excited atoms in flame is very small.
It is the alkaline and alkaline earth metals that can be practically determined.
It needs perfect control of flame temperature.
Interference by other elements is not easy to be eliminated
Heavy and transition metals
the number of emission lines is enormous and the spectra are complex
respond linearly to ion concentrations over a rather narrow concentration range so suitable dilutions usually have to be prepared