Final answer:
Quantitative analysis is often performed using mass spectrometry, a method utilizing high-energy electrons to ionize a material sample and a magnetic field to separate cations based on their mass-to-charge ratios, providing detailed compositional information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Multiple choice quantitative analysis is carried out by a process called mass spectrometry. This technique is extensively utilized across various sectors such as chemistry, forensics, environmental science, and medicine to analyze and identify substances within a material sample. In mass spectrometry, the sample is first vaporized, then ionized by a high-energy electron beam. The resulting cations are then deflected through an electric or magnetic field. The degree of deflection varies based on the ions' mass-to-charge ratios. The ions are detected, and a mass spectrum is generated, illustrating the relative abundance of molecules present in the sample.
Mass spectrometry has evolved significantly since being employed in the development of atomic theory. It serves as a powerful tool for chemical analysis, allowing the determination of the occurrence and natural abundances of isotopes as well as the composition of complex mixtures of metal ions. By measuring the curvature of a charged particle's path within a magnetic field, mass spectrometers obtain crucial mass information about the sample constituents, facilitating in-depth scientific inquiries and analyses.