Aliquot – Portions of the analyte in several identical portions.

Analyte – Substance that is being measured.

Aqueous – Solution of anything in water.
Calibration curve – A graph of detector response as a function of analyte concentration.
Composite sample - A representative sample prepared from a heterogenous material. If the
material consists of distinct regions, the composite is made of portions of each region, with
relative amounts proportional to the size of each region.
Decant – Poured off.
Heterogeneous - Composition of sample differs from place to place.
Homogeneous – Composition of sample is the same everywhere.
Interference – Occurs when a species other than the analyte increases or decreases the
response of the analytical method and makes it appear that there is more or less analyte than
is actually present.
Masking – Transformation of interfering species into a form that is not detected.
Qualitative analysis – Identifying what is in an unknown.
Quantitative analysis – Identifying how much is present in an unknown.
Quantitative transfer - A complete transfer of the sample.
Random heterogeneous material – Differences in composition occur randomly and on a
fine scale.
Random sample - Collected by taking portions from the desired number of segments chosen
at random.
Sample preparation – Transforming a sample into a state that is suitable for analysis.
Sampling – Procuring a representative sample to measure.
Segregated heterogeneous material – Sample that has large regions have obviously
different compositions.
Slurry – A suspension of solid in liquid.
Species – Term used to refer any chemical of interest.
Standard solution – Solutions of known concentrations that are prepared and injected into
sample columns.
Supernatant liquid – Liquid above packed solid.