Question

Why do quantitative and qualitative analyses often require different monochromator slit widths?

Short answer

Different monochromator slit widths are often investigated in qualitative and quantitative investigations. And for qualitative analysis, identification of a narrow spectral line (absorption or emission) is required.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Theory

A monochromater is an optical device that transmits a small band of wavelengths of light or other radiation that may be mechanically selected from a larger range of wavelengths available at the input.

Step 2. Explanation

Different monochromator slit widths are often investigated in qualitative and quantitative investigations.

For qualitative analysis, identification of a narrow spectral line (absorption or emission) is required. Quantitative analysis, on the other hand, necessitates a wider slit (absorption or emission) to get a greater signal to noise ratio (higher precision).

As a result, for qualitative analysis, a small slit width is required, whereas for quantitative analysis, a broader slit width is necessary.