Sunday, December 5, 2021

Advantages and disadvantages of gravimetric analysis method

 The gravimetric analysis is more advantageous if the protocols are followed carefully, it can produce extremely exact results.


To determine the amount of a certain component present in a sample, analytical techniques such as gravimetric, volumetric, and instrumental analysis are often used. We use a known amount of a known solute to quantify an unknown chemical in an analysis. This measurement can be expressed as volume or weight. When it is volume, we call it volumetric analysis, and when it is the weight we call it gravimetric analysis.

What is gravimetric analysis?

In analytical chemistry, gravimetric analysis is a type of quantitative analysis that is used to determine the mass of an unknown analyte in a sample. This technique uses the precipitation method to separate the compound from a sample, and they convert a dissolved substance (liquid) into a precipitate (solid) that can be weighed. Gravimetric analysis works on the principle of converting an ion, element, or radical into a pure stable state.

If the sample contains a mixture of solids, it must be dissolved in a suitable solvent before adding a reagent (precipitation agent) that will precipitate the particular component. Finally, filter the precipitate and weigh it. The determination of chloride in a chemical is one of the examples of gravimetric analysis.

The four basic types of gravimetric analysis are volatilization (physical gravimetry), precipitation, thermogravimetry, and electrodeposition (electrogravimetry), and these methods differ in sample preparation, before weighing the solute.

Advantages of gravimetric analysis:

  • When modern analytical balance is used in this method it is more exact.
  • It is an absolute method that requires no calibration and requires direct measurement.
  • It can produce extremely exact results if the protocols are followed carefully.
  • Filtrates can be evaluated for completeness of precipitation to identify potential sources of errors, and the presence of contaminants in precipitates could be examined.
  • Gravimetry has a minimal instrumental error and does not need the use of a series of standards to determine the unknown.
  • The gravimetric analysis was also used to determine the atomic masses of many elements in the periodic table with an accuracy of six figures.
  • The gravimetric method can be performed with a relatively inexpensive apparatus.

Disadvantages of gravimetric analysis:

  • The major disadvantage of the gravimetric method is that it takes a long time to complete.
  • Gravimetric analysis is typically limited to analyzing a single element or limited group of elements, at a time.
  • In today's world, chemists prefer this method.
  • These types of methods are usually complex, and even a slight mistake in a process can often mean disaster for the analysis.
  • Gravimetric analysis is based on mass measurement.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):


What is meant by titration and types of titration?
A titration is a method of estimating the concentration of an unknown solution (Titrand) by comparing it to a known concentration solution (Titrant). Acid-base, precipitation, complexometric, and redox are the different types of titration.

What are the steps involved in gravimetric analysis
Preparation of the sample solution, precipitation process, digestion of the precipitate, washing and filtering the precipitate, drying, and ignition, weighing the precipitate are the major steps involved in this method.

What are the applications of gravimetric analysis?
It is used to determine the inorganic anions, cations, chloride, SO2, CO2, and iodine, etc. and it is also used to calibrate other instruments.


Referrences:

  1. Earnest, Charles M., and Larry Wilson. 2000. Quantitative Analysis: Gravimetric, Volumetric & Instrumental Analysis, 4th edition.
  2. Wikipedia contributors. "Gravimetric analysis." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 31 Aug. 2021.
  3. Dhakatutor.com. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Gravimetric Method.” Dhakatutor.com, http://dhakatutor.com/article/view/16.

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