Learning Materials
Explanations
Features
Discover
What happens if someone is suspected of taking drugs? They'll often be asked to carry out a urine test. This can test for either one specific compound or a whole family of drugs. If the results are positive, the urine will be analysed further using a method called gas chromatography. Also known as gas-liquid chromatography, this is a handy technique used to separate and identify the components of a gaseous mixture.
Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies
Sign up for free
Achieve better grades quicker with Premium
Geld-zurück-Garantie, wenn du durch die Prüfung fällst
Review generated flashcards
to start learning or create your own AI flashcards
Start learning or create your own AI flashcards
Team Gas Chromatography Teachers
Jump to a key chapter
Sign up for free to gain access to all our flashcards.
What is gas chromatography?
Gas chromatography is an analytical technique that analyses components of a sample in the gas phase.
How does gas chromatography work?
In gas chromatography, a column is packed with a solid or a solid coated with a viscous liquid. This is the stationary phase. The analyte sample is then vaporised and injected into a capillary tube or column. An unreactive gas such as helium acts as the mobile phase. The sample mixes with the mobile phase and is passed through the column under pressure at a high temperature. The components in the sample separate as they pass through the column according to their relative affinity to each stage. They then pass into a detector, which produces a signal proportional to the relative amount of each component. The signal is used to make a chromatogram.
What is the basic principle of gas chromatography?
Each component within the sample has a different relative affinity to the stationary and mobile phase. This leads to the components travelling through the capillary tube/column at different rates, and thus gives them different retention times. As a result, the components are separated. We can use retention times to identify the components, or connect the chromatography system to a mass spectrometer for more detailed analysis.
How does temperature affect gas chromatography?
Temperature affects the retention time of the components of the sample, the pressure of the column, as well as the shape of the peaks which appear on the chromatogram.
What is the purpose of gas chromatography?
Gas chromatography separates components in a gaseous sample and gives us the quantities of each analyte present. Therefore, it is useful since it allows chemists to analyse complex mixtures, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
At StudySmarter, we have created a learning platform that serves millions of students. Meet the people who work hard to deliver fact based content as well as making sure it is verified.
Digital Content Specialist
Lily Hulatt is a Digital Content Specialist with over three years of experience in content strategy and curriculum design. She gained her PhD in English Literature from Durham University in 2022, taught in Durham University’s English Studies Department, and has contributed to a number of publications. Lily specialises in English Literature, English Language, History, and Philosophy.
Get to know Lily
AI Engineer
Gabriel Freitas is an AI Engineer with a solid experience in software development, machine learning algorithms, and generative AI, including large language models’ (LLMs) applications. Graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of São Paulo, he is currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Campinas, specializing in machine learning topics. Gabriel has a strong background in software engineering and has worked on projects involving computer vision, embedded AI, and LLM applications.
Get to know Gabriel
Flashcards 
StudySmarter AI 
Notes 
Study Plans 
Study Sets 
Exams 
Find a job 
Student Deals 
Magazine 
Mobile App