The sensitivity is directly proportional to the number of atoms in the excited state.
Atomic absorption spectrometry is more sensitive than atomic emission spectrometry.
ICP-MS allows multi-element analysis. It has a longer linear working range so fewer standards for calibration is needed as they can be spaced further apart. ICP-MS also has a higher sensitivity compared to atomic emission spectrometry or atomic absorption spectrometry.
Atomic emission spectrometry is limited to alkali metals.
advantages of atomic emission
Atomic emission spectrometry is a selective method for quantifying some types of metals. It is also cheap and robust. However, atomic emission spectrometry is only applicable to the determination of alkali metals and some alkaline earth metals.
George Zachariadis has written: 'Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry' -- subject(s): Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry
Emission spectrometry is an old and largely known method for quantitative and qualitative analysis of elements.
It is especially sensitive for alkali metals.
Atomic emission spectrometry is used to quantify alkali metals in alkali metal salts, infusion, and dialysis solutions. It is used used to determine the presence of metallic impurities in some of the other inorganic salts used in preparing these solutions.
Metal ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and strontium can be detected by flame emission spectrometry. When these elements are heated in a flame, they emit characteristic wavelengths of light that can be measured to identify and quantify their presence in a sample.
Examples: emission spectrometry, flame photometry, atomic absorption, etc.
1. Emission optical spectrography 2. ICP mass spectrometry 3. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry 4. Gravimetry 5. Volumetry/Potentiometry 6. ICP atomic spectrometry 7. Spectrophotometry with arsenazo III etc.