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Determination of Sodium and Potassium by Flame Photometry
1. Aim
To complete the Year 3 practical determination of sodium and potassium by flame photometry using a verified method, demonstration, or supplied dataset. The actual sample and finding must be entered in the student record.
2. Requirements
Instructor-approved sample or de-identified instrument record, reference standards, blanks and quality controls, method sheet, calibration record, observation form, calculator or plotting tool, protective equipment, and waste procedure. Exact reagents, volumes, concentrations, settings, and limits are specified in your college lab manual and instructor's method sheet.
3. Theory
Flame photometry measures element-dependent light emission after a solution enters a flame. Sodium and potassium need separate analytical channels and standards. Matrix and ionization effects, dilution, and drift can change emission. A valid result requires calibration and controls for each analyte.
4. Procedure
- Identify the syllabus entry, sample or dataset, method revision, instrument calibration, and hazards.
- Record reference, blank, control, and sample measurements with units and source IDs.
- Observe the approved method or analyze the supplied dataset without filling missing conditions by guesswork.
- Check blank and standards for sodium and potassium. Read the same sample on both channels, verify control recovery, and apply documented dilution to each interpolated concentration.
- Check method suitability, range, and control behaviour before any calculation or interpretation.
- Report raw observations, the justified calculation, limitations, and your college lab manual and instructor's method sheet items separately.
5. Observation and calculation
| Student record field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Case or product | Record here |
| Method | Record here |
| Observation | Record here |
| Inference | Record here |
| Supervisor check | Record here |
| Outcome | Record here |
Assumed values for practice only: Assumed sodium emission of 30 units maps to an assumed 3 mg/L on an assumed calibration. The potassium channel is specified in your college lab manual and instructor's method sheet. These are invented readings. Every invented input and output is assumed, not a real analytical result or operating instruction.
6. Output or final result
Provide a labelled two-element emission plot and conditional interpretation. Record the supervised outcome here.
Teaching-lab safety: Perform chemical or instrument work only under instructor supervision with the approved safety and waste procedures. Assumed values are examples only.
This page is a supervised-activity guide; it does not report a completed case.
7. Sources
- PharmacoLearn Pharm.D Year 3 syllabus
- PCI Pharm.D Regulations and Syllabus
- PharmacoLearn Year 3 Syllabus
- USP Verification of Compendial Procedures
- Method-specific primary reference
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