In the past, the analysis of materials containing several elements presented unique problems for analytical chemists, so a sequence of wet chemical qualitative tests were performed to ensure each element in a sample was detected. Quantitative tests could then be performed with confidence. Modern analytical chemists can call on a range of specialist instrumental techniques which can detect the presence of all elements, often all at once, and often quantitatively. The drawback is that the instruments tend to be expensive, suited to particular sample types or matrices and complex in both setting...

The analysis of materials containing several elements used to be a difficult problem for analytical chemists, so a well established sequence of wet chemical qualitative tests were performed to ensure each element was detected. Quantitative tests could then be carried out on the sample, according to the range of elements present. Most analytical chemists were very familiar with these techniques, having been taugth them from a very early stage in their education and careers. The analytical chemist can now call on a range of specialist instrumental techniques which can detect the presence of...