- A device to measure the concentration of alkali metals like Na and K by measuring the intensities of light emitted by them at high temperature.
- Principle:-
- As a solution in air is finally sprayed over a burner, it dissociates to give neutral atoms.
- Some of these atoms get excited and move to a higher energy state.
- When the excited atoms fall back to the ground state, they emit light of a characteristic wavelength which can be measured.
- The intensity of emission light is proportional to the concentration of the electrolyte being estimated.
- Components:-
- Aspirator/Nebulizer/Atomizer – To produce a fine spray of droplets of uniform size necessary for constant emission of light.
- Burner and flame- To provide heat energy to vaporize the substance and excite the electrons into higher state.
- Monochromator/Filter- Emitted light passes through the monochromator. Eg. Orange filter for sodium(580nm) and Red filter for Potassium(766nm)
- Phototube/Detector:- Phototube which converts light energy into electricity
- Readout/Galvanometer- To measure the generated electricity.
- Applications:-
- Determining the concentration of sodium and potassium in serum, urine, sweat, etc.
- Therapeutic use of lithium salts in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.