The flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) can detect the presence of metals in a sample. Our FAAS (Perkin Elmer 3110) has been used in Chemical Measurements (CHM 480), Analytical Chemistry (CHM 270) and Independent Study (CHM 500/501). The FAAS determined what metals were present in mysterious-looking graveyard artifacts obtained from the ancestral cemetery of a W&J alum as well as the ability of banana peels to absorb lead. Analytical Chemistry (CHM 270) students have also used the FAAS to determine the amount of lead present in ancient Roman coins.
