Students will learn to:
Create and interpret a calibration curve.
Explain the differences between types of blanks.
Develop a validation process.
04. Standardizing Analytical Methods
Students will learn:
Identify a single-point external calibration
Determine the amount of unknown in a sample for a single-point external calibration
Use propagation of error to determine the relative error in a measurement.
Students will learn to: Use calibration curves to convert analytical signals into concentrations.
Propagate uncertainty from a calibration curve.
Evaluate the quality of a calibration curve.
Apply “best practices” in the construction and use of calibration curves in chemical analysis.
Students examine a series of hypothetical calibration curves obtained using gas chromatography to consider various features that may show up in these curves.
Students learn to:
Prepare a linear calibration curve from experimental data.
Perform a linear fit, including regression statistics, in Excel.
Use a calibration curve to determine the quantity of an unknown.
Discuss the limitations of a calibration curve.
Students learn to:
Explain the differences between external standard and standard addition calibration and describe situations when each should be used.
Give examples of when an internal standard is necessary and describe what types of experimental error it can correct for.
Calculate the concentration of an analyte given raw data using any of these calibration methods (external standard, standard addition, internal standard).
Determine which method is most appropriate to utilize when faced with a real world analytical problem.
Students examine several examples of recovery curves and aspects of signal averaging when completing this activity.