Definition

Noun: A branch of analytical chemistry concerned with determining the precise amount or concentration of each specific element or compound present within a given substance. It focuses on numerical measurement (e.g., mass, volume, percentage) rather than just identifying what components are present.

Usage

This term is used to describe the scientific process of measuring how much of a particular chemical species exists in a sample. It is a fundamental procedure in chemistry, materials science, environmental testing, and pharmaceutical quality control.

Examples

• The laboratory performed a quantitative chemical analysis to determine the exact iron content in the water sample.
• Results from the quantitative chemical analysis showed the alloy was composed of 85% copper and 15% zinc.
• Quantitative chemical analysis is essential for calculating the purity of a synthesized compound.

Advanced Usage

• "to perform/conduct a quantitative chemical analysis": This is the standard phrasing for describing the action of carrying out this type of measurement.
  • The team will conduct a quantitative chemical analysis to verify the drug's active ingredient concentration.

Variants and Related Words

• Quantitative analysis (n): A broader term that can refer to the measurement of quantities in other fields (e.g., finance, economics), but in a chemical context, it is often synonymous with "quantitative chemical analysis."
• Qualitative chemical analysis (n): The complementary branch of analytical chemistry focused on identifying elements or compounds are present in a substance, without necessarily determining their amounts.

Synonyms

• Assay: Often used in metallurgy and pharmacology for quantitative analysis to determine the content of a metal or drug.
• Gravimetric/Volumetric analysis: Specific techniques (measuring mass or volume) used within quantitative chemical analysis.

Related Phrases

• Quantitative determination: A phrase frequently used interchangeably with quantitative chemical analysis to mean finding the quantity of a substance.
  • The protocol calls for the quantitative determination of sulfate ions.

Noun

1. chemical analysis to determine the amounts of each element in the substance