Question

_________ is the determination of one or few constituents from the sample.

• A. Partial analysis
• B. Completer analysis
• C. Proximate
• D. ultimate

Hint:

In routine agricultural soil testing, laboratories perform partial analyses (measuring only key macronutrients like N, P, and K) rather than complete elemental analyses to save time and reduce costs.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Analytical chemistry uses various classifications to describe the scope and depth of chemical analysis performed on a sample.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us define the types of chemical analysis listed in the options:
1. Partial Analysis (A): This involves determining only one or a few selected constituents in a sample, without analyzing the remaining components (e.g., measuring only the nitrogen content in a soil sample, or only the active ingredient in a pesticide formulation). This definition matches the question.
2. Complete Analysis (B): This involves determining the concentration of all chemical constituents present in a sample, which is a highly complex, labor-intensive process.
3. Proximate Analysis (C): This determines the concentration of groups of chemically related substances in a mixture, rather than individual chemical species (e.g., analyzing animal feed for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and nitrogen-free extract).
4. Ultimate Analysis (D): This determines the elemental composition of a sample (e.g., measuring the exact weight percentages of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen in organic matter).
Therefore, the determination of only one or a few constituents is called a partial analysis.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct term is Partial analysis, corresponding to option (A).