Glass

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Page ID: 66455

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Analytical Sciences Digital Library

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Analysis of Glass Fragments

Objective

To compare glass samples based on their refractive index (RI) and their trace magnesium content by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA).

Sample

Glass fragments (half-inch square) from bottles and from automobiles. Find a junk yard and obtain samples from car headlamps and windshields.

Reagents

A set of liquid refractive index standards; magnesium metal; pure lanthanum nitrate; concentrated hydrofluoric acid solution; concentrated hydrochloric acid; concentrated nitric acid

Standard Reference Material

None

Special equipment

optical microscope; sodium vapor lamp; microscope slides; flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer; ultrasonic bath; plastic centrifuge tubes

Procedure

RI: For instructor (detailed); For student (brief)

AA: For instructor (detailed); For student (brief)

Typical results

AA calibration curve for magnesium; magnesium content of typical glass samples; RI of typical glass samples

Alternate Method

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) - Emission Spectrophotometry (OES)

Procedure

(planned for next edition)