High School

Why is a flame ionization detector for gas chromatography (GC) not considered a universal detector?

What is the universal GC detector?

Answer :

Final answer:

A flame ionization detector (FID) is not considered a universal detector because it is not selective for specific compounds. The universal GC detector is the mass spectrometer (MS), which combines gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to provide detailed information about the composition and structure of analytes.

Explanation:

A flame ionization detector (FID) is a commonly used detector in gas chromatography (GC). It operates by measuring the ions produced when organic compounds are burned in a hydrogen flame. The FID is highly sensitive and can detect a wide range of organic compounds, making it suitable for many applications.

However, the FID is not considered a universal detector because it is not selective for specific compounds. The FID responds to any organic compound that can be burned in the flame, regardless of its chemical structure. This lack of selectivity limits its usefulness in certain applications where specific compound identification is required.

The universal GC detector, on the other hand, is a detector that can provide both qualitative and quantitative information about a wide range of compounds. It is capable of detecting and identifying a broad spectrum of compounds, including volatile and non-volatile substances.

The most commonly used universal GC detector is the mass spectrometer (MS), which combines gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to provide detailed information about the composition and structure of analytes.

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