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Exploring Digital Signals and Noise in Instrumental Analysis: SignalsNoise.mcd

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Augustus W. Fountain III

Department of Chemistry and Photonics Research Center, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996

J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (2), p 271

DOI: 10.1021/ed078p271.1

Publication Date (Web): February 1, 2001

Abstract

The fundamental concepts of noise and signal-to-noise ratio are central to the discipline of analytical chemistry. Since chemical instrumentation dominates the modern laboratory, it is critical that students understand the role noise plays in limiting the precision of a measurement. It is equally important that they understand how to implement active and passive means to mitigate noise. The purpose of this Mathcad document is to allow the student to gain a familiarity with the concepts of signal-to-noise ratios and to explore the advantages of ensemble averaging and digital filtering analytical signals. Simulated noisy signals are used to guide the student through a series of individual exercises (Fig. 1). These exercises culminate in a capstone experience in which they simultaneously apply all of the concepts.

Figure 1. Ensemble averaged signal and original signal.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Analytical Chemistry

Keywords (Feature):

Mathcad in the Chemistry Curriculum

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Computer-Based Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Instrumental Methods

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Data Filtering in Instrumental Analyses with Applications to Optical Spectroscopy and Chemical Imaging
Frank Vogt
Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (12), 1672-1683
- Data Filtering in Instrumental Analyses with Applications to Optical Spectroscopy and Chemical Imaging
  Frank Vogt
  Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (12), 1672-1683
  Most measurement techniques have some limitations imposed by a sensor’s signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Thus, in analytical chemistry, methods for enhancing the SNR are of crucial importance and can be ensured experimentally or established via pre-treatment ...
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