Stoichiometry Lab Report

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Investigation 20 used spectroscopy along with stoichiometry to determine how much of cobalt was present in a soil sample. The real world application of spectroscopy is endless but one particular scene where spectroscopy is crucial is its application to law enforcement and forensic investigation. While the type of spectroscopy used is different than that used in the laboratory investigation the same basic principles apply. Spectroscopy in its different forms is used to catch the degenerates and is one science that works to make society a better place.
One type of spectroscopy that is particularly useful in forensics is Raman Spectroscopy which applies spectroscopy to the study of ink on paper. The process involves irradiating a document with monochromatic light (light of one particular wavelength) using lasers and observing the scattering, absorption, intensity, and overall interaction of the light with the ink. From this forensic investigators can determine the type of ink from its chemical composition and determine the manufacture (Braz 1.1). The …show more content…

This process is used in forensics because it is so precise, fast, and reliable. The process includes creating a high-temperature plasma induced by a laser, which allows the user to remove a small amount of mass from the subject, known as laser ablation. This ablated mass is then further manipulated to form a high energy plasma containing free electrons and energized ions. Once the laser is turned off, the plasma will begin cooling, which will let the ions return to their natural state. When this happens, they will give off a certain spectra that will allow the user to be able to tell what exactly was in the species they experimented on (appliedspectra.com). This could be useful in determining such substances like what glass is composed of or what type of glass was

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