Whal ls Analitical Science?

The above description of analytical chemistry provides an overview of the disci-

pline of analytical chemistry. There have been various attempts to more specifi-

- cally dehne the discipline. The late Charles N. Reilley said; "Analytical chemistry

is what analytical chemists do" (Ref. 2). The discipline has expanded beyond the

bounds of just chemistry, and many have advocated using the name mm/yzical

science to describe the field. This tcmi is used in a National Science Foundation

report from workshops on "Curricular Developments in the Analytical Sciences,"

Even this term falls short of recognition of the role of instrumentation develop-

ment and application. One suggestion is that we use the term analytical science

and technology (Ref. 3).

The Federation of European Chemical Societies held a contest in 1992 to

define analytical chemistry, and the following suggestion by K, Cammann was se-

lected [Fresenius’l Anal. Chem., 343 (1992):812-813.]

Analytical Chemistry provides the methods and tools needed for insight into our

material world . . . for answering four basic questions about a material sample:

• What?

• Where?

• How much?

• What arrangement, structure or form?

The Division of Analytical Chemistry of the American Chemical Society provides

a comprehensive definition of analytical chemistry, which may be found on their

website (www.acs-analyticaldug.edu/whatisanltycalchem.html). It is reproduced,

in most part, here:

Analytical Chemistry seeks ever improved means of measuring the chemical com-

position of natural and artificial materials. The techniques of this science are used

to identit`y the substances which may be present in a material and to determine

the exact amounts of the identified substance.

Analytical chemists work to improve the reliability of existing techniques to

meet the demands for better chemical measurements which arise constantly in

our society. They adapt proven methodologies to new kinds of materials or to an-

swer new questions about their composition and their reactivity mechanisms. They

carry out research to discover completely new principles of measurement and are .

at the forefront of the utilization or major discoveries, such as lasers and micro-

chip devices for practical purposes. Their efforts serve the needs of many fields:

• In medicine, analytical chemistry is the basis for clinical laboratory tests

which help physicians diagnose disease and chart progress in recovery.

• In industry, analytical chemistry provides the means of testing raw materi-

als and for assuring the quality of tinished products whose chemical com-

position is critical. Many household products, fuels, paints, pharmaceuticals,

etc. are analyzed by the procedures developed by analytical chemists before

being sold to the consumer.

• Environmental quality is often evaluated by testing for suspected contami-

nants using the techniques of analytical chemistry.

• The nutritional value offood is determined by chemical analysis for major

components such as protein and carbohydrates and trace components such

as vitamins and minerals. Indeed, even the calories in a food are often cal-

culated from its chemical analysis.

Analytical chemists also make important contributions to fields as diverse as foren-

sics, archaeology, and space science.