Analytical Applications of the Flame Spectra of the Rare Earth Elements and Scandium.

The analytical potentialities of the simple spectra emitted by the rare earth elements when ethanol solutions of their perchlorates are aspirated into fuel-rich, oxyacetylene flames are evaluated. The sensitivities of detection of the strongest lines are tabulated and data showing the application of these spectra to the analysis of complex rare earth mixtures are presented. The relative standard deviations for these analyses ranged from plus or minus 1.3 to 3.7% of the amount present. (author)