INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS ACS EXAM
SCRIPT FINAL PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ which characteristics are desirable for a radiation transducer?
a) high sensitivity to short wavelength light
b) low S/N ratio
c) consistent high output when not illuminated
d) constant response over large wavelength range
e) all of the above
Answer: d
◉ what is the appropriate process for atomization for AAS and AES?
(3 steps)
Answer: desolvation, vaporization, atomization
◉ the doppler effect is one reason for line broadening in atomic
spectroscopy. What is the effect on a measured signal?
Answer: movement of excited atoms toward the detector causes a
shortening in the wavelength of the emitted light
,◉ it is better to select an excitation source for AAS with
____bandwidth
Answer: smaller
◉ what is the general layout for AES?
Answer: sample --> source --> wavelength selector --> detector
◉ a)name the electrical signals that are considered analog?
b) how is the information encoded in an analog signal?
Answer: a) current, voltage, charge, and power
b) an analog signal is a signal where the amplitude of the signal
changes with time, so the information is encoded either through the
amplitude or frequency of the signal (and the signal can be
wavelength, magnetic field strength, T,etc)
◉ what is a figure of merit?
Answer: it is a numerical value characterizing the quantitative
instrument performance and include precision, bias, sensitivity,
detection limit, dynamic range and selectivity
◉ How long would it take to discharge a 0.015 microF capacitor to
1% of its full charge through a resistance of 10 mega Ohms?
a) formula
b) answer
, Answer: a) vc= Vc e^(-t/RC)
b) t = 0.69 seconds
◉ select the type of ionization technique used in MS that would
result in significant fragmentation
a) MALDI
b) electron impact
c) high performance
d) chemical ionization
Answer: c
◉ which is true for chemical ionization?
a) considered a "hard ionization" technique
b) analyte reacts with electron beam
c) compared to other ionization techniques, less fragmentation
occurs
d)compared to other ionization techniques, results in the most
repeatable small fragments
Answer: c
◉ true or false
formation of ions in electrospray occurs by spraying the sample
through a capillary, where it is exposed to a high voltage source, then
SCRIPT FINAL PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ which characteristics are desirable for a radiation transducer?
a) high sensitivity to short wavelength light
b) low S/N ratio
c) consistent high output when not illuminated
d) constant response over large wavelength range
e) all of the above
Answer: d
◉ what is the appropriate process for atomization for AAS and AES?
(3 steps)
Answer: desolvation, vaporization, atomization
◉ the doppler effect is one reason for line broadening in atomic
spectroscopy. What is the effect on a measured signal?
Answer: movement of excited atoms toward the detector causes a
shortening in the wavelength of the emitted light
,◉ it is better to select an excitation source for AAS with
____bandwidth
Answer: smaller
◉ what is the general layout for AES?
Answer: sample --> source --> wavelength selector --> detector
◉ a)name the electrical signals that are considered analog?
b) how is the information encoded in an analog signal?
Answer: a) current, voltage, charge, and power
b) an analog signal is a signal where the amplitude of the signal
changes with time, so the information is encoded either through the
amplitude or frequency of the signal (and the signal can be
wavelength, magnetic field strength, T,etc)
◉ what is a figure of merit?
Answer: it is a numerical value characterizing the quantitative
instrument performance and include precision, bias, sensitivity,
detection limit, dynamic range and selectivity
◉ How long would it take to discharge a 0.015 microF capacitor to
1% of its full charge through a resistance of 10 mega Ohms?
a) formula
b) answer
, Answer: a) vc= Vc e^(-t/RC)
b) t = 0.69 seconds
◉ select the type of ionization technique used in MS that would
result in significant fragmentation
a) MALDI
b) electron impact
c) high performance
d) chemical ionization
Answer: c
◉ which is true for chemical ionization?
a) considered a "hard ionization" technique
b) analyte reacts with electron beam
c) compared to other ionization techniques, less fragmentation
occurs
d)compared to other ionization techniques, results in the most
repeatable small fragments
Answer: c
◉ true or false
formation of ions in electrospray occurs by spraying the sample
through a capillary, where it is exposed to a high voltage source, then
