Directions: Please answer each of the following questions and ensure that each response is at about one page in length.  Please use proper APA formatting and cite any sources used.

1.   Briefly describe the basic process of spectrophotometry.  What are the main strength and main weakness of ultraviolet spectrophotometry?  What major advantage does infrared spectrophotometry enjoy over ultraviolet spectrophotometry?

2.   What is the most important drawback to gas chromatography?

3.   In what area does mass spectrometry currently have its greatest application for forensic scientists?

4.   Describe the process of neutron activation analysis. How does the process allow a forensic scientist to identify an isotope? What are the main advantage and the main weakness of neutron activation analysis?

5.   What important information about the identity of a sample cannot be determined by emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption, or neutron activation?

6.   What type of materials can be identified using X-ray diffraction? Why is this not a significant limitation when analyzing inorganic compounds?