An x- ray spectrometer is a type of instrument that is used to get analysis on rocks, minerals, and fluids in a non- destructive way (XRF, 2002). The way this device works is on a wavelength similar to an electron microbe (XRF, 2002). The only way this is possible is through the behavior and reaction of atoms when they come in contact with the radiation (XRF, 2002). The materials will then become excited from the short length radiation which will dislodge an electron (XRF, 2002). Energy will then be released, due to the shift of electrons from the inner and outer shell (XRF, 2002). High energy x- ray is used to bombard the sample (XRF, 2002). Enough energy is supplied to cause ionization at the k- shell of the atom (XRF, 2002). The electronic structure of the atom is now unstable (XRF, 2002). An electron from a higher orbital falls into the lower orbital to replace the ejected electron (XRF, 2002). Energy is released as this electron falls into the newly created spot (XRF, 2002). This energy is equal to the energy difference of the two orbitals involved (XRF, 2002). The sample therefore emits radiant energy that is characteristic of the atoms present (XRF, 2002). Finally, the resulting fluorescent x- ray can be used to get an analysis in ppb on a substance if it is present in the sample (XRF, 2002). The x- ray fluorescence spectrometer in the lab, however, measures in ppm instead of the common ppb. The calculation, therefore, that will be used is 1ppm= 1000ppb. The goals for this senior research project is to determine whether or not there is a high concentration of arsenic and lead in the apples and apple juices we consume every day. This research will give light to what is actually in the things we eat or
An x- ray spectrometer is a type of instrument that is used to get analysis on rocks, minerals, and fluids in a non- destructive way (XRF, 2002). The way this device works is on a wavelength similar to an electron microbe (XRF, 2002). The only way this is possible is through the behavior and reaction of atoms when they come in contact with the radiation (XRF, 2002). The materials will then become excited from the short length radiation which will dislodge an electron (XRF, 2002). Energy will then be released, due to the shift of electrons from the inner and outer shell (XRF, 2002). High energy x- ray is used to bombard the sample (XRF, 2002). Enough energy is supplied to cause ionization at the k- shell of the atom (XRF, 2002). The electronic structure of the atom is now unstable (XRF, 2002). An electron from a higher orbital falls into the lower orbital to replace the ejected electron (XRF, 2002). Energy is released as this electron falls into the newly created spot (XRF, 2002). This energy is equal to the energy difference of the two orbitals involved (XRF, 2002). The sample therefore emits radiant energy that is characteristic of the atoms present (XRF, 2002). Finally, the resulting fluorescent x- ray can be used to get an analysis in ppb on a substance if it is present in the sample (XRF, 2002). The x- ray fluorescence spectrometer in the lab, however, measures in ppm instead of the common ppb. The calculation, therefore, that will be used is 1ppm= 1000ppb. The goals for this senior research project is to determine whether or not there is a high concentration of arsenic and lead in the apples and apple juices we consume every day. This research will give light to what is actually in the things we eat or