Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for Potassium in Gatorade in Non-Science Major Courses

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 12 Issue 4 (2007) pp 267-269

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for Potassium in Gatorade in Non-Science Major Courses

Keith Kostecka

Science and Mathematics Department, Columbia College, Chicago, Illinois, 60605-1996, kkostecka@colum.edu
Received August 10, 2006. Accepted May 11, 2007.

Published online: 4 August 2007

Abstract. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was done on a variety of the flavors of the sports beverage Gatorade as a laboratory experiment to determine potassium concentration in 231 samples. Participants were introduced to parts per million and parts per billion. Comparison was made to potassium concentration specified on the Gatorade bottle.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; analytic chemistry; instrumental; nanotechnology

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: kkostecka@colum.edu)

Article in PDF format (44 KB) HTML format page numbers updated 9/15/07

Supporting Materials:

A copy of the laboratory handout that the students receive when conducting this exercise is included (9 KB)