Abstract

The objective of this experiment is to determine calcium content in commercial supplement

tablets. The quantity of calcium per tablet that is stated at the supplement bottle was to be
200mg. To investigate this statement, we need to determine experimentally the actual content of
calcium in the supplement tablets. The experiment was conducted by using atomic absorption
spectroscopy analysis. Before running the analysis using AAS, first a series of standard solutions
based on calcium concentration was established. A 50ppm stock solution of calcium is prepared
in 100mL flask using CaCl2.2H2O salts. Thus we need exactly 5mg of calcium, Ca to be
dissolved in the 100mL flask to get 50ppm. From the stock solution, a series of standard solution
of 25ppm, 12.5ppm and 6.25ppm was prepared by diluting a specific volume from the stock
solution in three individual flasks to the respected concentration. The volume of 50 ppm needed
to be dissolved in 50 mL flask to get 25 ppm, 12.5 ppm and 6.25 ppm are 25 mL, 12.5 mL and
6.25 mL respectively. Further aspect of this experiment is the evaluation of the effect of pH on
the solubility of the calcium tablets and the efficiency of digestion in the human body. In the
second sets of measurement, five solutions of the dissolved tablets with known pH level from 0
to 5 are analyzed using the AAS. From the AAS analysis, the absorbance value for the solutions
with pH 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are 0.1441, 0.1676, 0.3650, 1.4077C, 1.4018C and 1.3923C
respectively. From the absorbance reading obtained, using the interpolation and extrapolation of
the calibration curve, we get the concentration of Ca in the solutions with pH 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
to be (4.62, 5.64, 14.28, 59.91, 59.65 and 59.23) ppm respectively. The highest concentration of
Ca between the five solutions is in pH 2 with 59.91 ppm. It shows that pH 2 is the optimum pH
level in dissolving the Ca tablet. From 59.91 ppm, we get the amount of Ca in the tablet to be
59.91 mg. This result disagree with the claim from the commercial tablet box where the amount
of Ca to be 200mg per tablet.
Introduction

Atomic line absorption spectra are used for analysing various metals. Atomic absorption
spectrophotometry ("AAS") offers sensitivity, selectivity and simplicity and was developed by CSIRO
Melbourne scientists around 1955. "AAS" is an important tool in analytical laboratories. Using this
technique, samples of water and soil can be tested for various metal ion levels. Metals commonly
analysed include sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, mercury, cobalt, copper, cadmium,

There are a number of situations where elemental composition is important – e.g., how much iron in an
ore sample, how much lead in your drinking water, calcium in intracellular fluids. In a sense, it’s the
simplest type of analysis, since there are only about 120 possible analytes. But to do the analysis, the
sample has to be completely destroyed (chemically and physically) and reduced to individual gas phase
atoms (or related species, like ions) in well defined states that can do spectroscopy on. Obviously this
requires a very highly energetic environment and a lot of modification of the sample, both of which lead
to a number of complications. These problems can be addressed if their presence is anticipated and the
physical mechanism is understood. In addition to giving you a little experience with AAS (Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometry) iron and arsenic.

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is use in order to measure the concentration of gas-
phase atom by absorbing of light which is ultraviolet light or visible light that will excite an
electrons from lower energy levels to higher energy levels. All particular elements that being
involves in experiment will be analyzed using an instrument called atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. The process of atomic absorption spectroscopy involves two steps which are
atomized the sample and absorbed a radiation from the light source by free atoms.

At the first stage of the mechanism, the analyte atoms or ions must be vaporized in a flame or graphic
furnace. The flame is lined up in a beam of light of the appropriate wavelength. Atom will undergo a
transition from the ground state to the first excited state because of flame. When atoms make their
transition, they absorb some of the light from the beam. The basic structure of atomic absorption
spectrophotometer are hollow cathode lamp, an atomizer section for atomizing the sample, a
monochrometer for selecting the analysis wavelength of the target element and also a detector to
convert light into an electrical signal. Hollow cathode lamp is consists of hollow cathode, anode, neon or
argon gas.
Objective

1. To determine the commercial calcium supplement by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.

2. To find out how to make up a 100 mL 100ppm calcium stock solution

3. How to dilute this solution to give a series of standard solutions (20, 15, 10 and 5 ppm) to be
used in the calibration of the spectrometer.
Theory