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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999  > June  >
In the Laboratory
Topics in Chemical Instrumentation
Optimizing Signal-to-Noise Ratio in Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Using Sequential Simplex Optimization
Richard J. Stolzberg
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6160
Cover
June 1999
Vol. 76 No. 6
p. 834
Abstract
A simplex optimization experiment for use in the upper-level chemistry laboratory curriculum is described. Students adjust the level of four variables to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) in the flame atomic absorption determination of calcium. The rules of variable size simplex optimization guide the students to conditions that increase S/N. When students examine the entire data set, they observe that three of the four variables, flame observation height, burner horizontal position, and fuel-to-air ratio, affect S/N. The fourth variable, volume of water in a graduated cylinder, has no effect on S/N. The 4- to 10-fold improvement in S/N occurs because the signal increases and the noise decreases.
More Information
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Citation
Stolzberg, Richard J. J. Chem. Educ. 1999, 76, 834.
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Keywords
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
6/11/2008
6/13/2008
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