Gas Chromatography Interview Questions

Here are the few listed Questions and answers

Basics of Gas Chromatography Interview Questions

  1. Q: What is Gas Chromatography?
    • A: Gas Chromatography is a technique used to separate and analyze compounds in a mixture based on their vaporization and interaction with a stationary phase within a chromatographic column.
  2. Q: How does Gas Chromatography work?
    • A: GC works by injecting a sample into a heated injector, vaporizing it, and then passing the vaporized compounds through a chromatographic column. The separated compounds are detected and analyzed.
  3. Q: Name the main components of a Gas Chromatograph.
    • A: The main components are the injector, column, detector, and data system.
  4. Q: Explain the purpose of the detector in Gas Chromatography.
    • A: The detector detects and measures the concentration of separated compounds as they exit the chromatographic column.
  5. Q: What is the role of the stationary phase in Gas Chromatography?

Common GC Interview Questions

  1. Q: What is the retention time in Gas Chromatography?
    • A: Retention time is the time it takes for a compound to travel through the column and reach the detector after injection.
  2. Q: How does temperature affect Gas Chromatography separation?
    • A: Temperature influences the volatility of compounds, affecting their retention times and separation within the column.
  3. Q: Explain the function of the injection port.
    • A: The injection port is where the sample is introduced into the GC system. It vaporizes the sample for entry into the column.
  4. Q: What is the purpose of a guard column in Gas Chromatography?
    • A: A guard column protects the analytical column from contamination and extends its lifespan.
  5. Q: How can you optimize resolution in Gas Chromatography?
    • A: Resolution can be optimized by adjusting parameters like column length, particle size, and temperature.

Advanced Topics On Gas chromatography

  1. Q: Describe the principle of split injection in Gas Chromatography.
    • A: Split injection diverts a portion of the sample away from the column, preventing overload and improving resolution.
  2. Q: What are the advantages of using a capillary column in Gas Chromatography?
    • A: Capillary columns provide higher resolution, efficiency, and sensitivity compared to packed columns.
  3. Q: How does the choice of carrier gas impact Gas Chromatography?
    • A: The choice of carrier gas influences separation and detection sensitivity; common choices include helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen.
  4. Q: Explain the significance of the FID (Flame Ionization Detector) in Gas Chromatography.
    • A: FID is a universal detector that responds to almost all organic compounds, making it widely used for quantitative analysis.
  5. Q: How does Mass Spectrometry enhance Gas Chromatography analysis?
    • A: Coupling GC with MS allows for compound identification based on mass-to-charge ratios, providing additional information beyond retention times

GC Calibration Interview Questions

  1. Q: Why is calibration important in Gas Chromatography?
    • A: Calibration is essential to establish a relationship between detector response and analyte concentration, ensuring accurate and reliable quantitative analysis.
  2. Q: What is the purpose of a calibration curve in GC?
    • A: A calibration curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between detector response and known concentrations of standard compounds. It helps quantify the concentration of unknown samples.
  3. Q: How do you prepare a calibration standard in Gas Chromatography?
    • A: Calibration standards are prepared by diluting known concentrations of pure analytes in a solvent to create a range of standard solutions for calibration.
  4. Q: Explain the concept of linearity in GC calibration.
    • A: Linearity ensures that the detector response is directly proportional to the concentration of the analyte, providing accurate measurements across a range of concentrations.
  5. Q: What factors can affect the accuracy of GC calibration?
    • A: Factors include the accuracy of standard preparation, instrument stability, and changes in experimental conditions. Regular recalibration helps maintain accuracy.
  6. Q: How often should you calibrate a Gas Chromatograph?
    • A: Calibration frequency depends on the instrument’s stability, usage, and regulatory requirements. It’s common to perform calibration before each analytical session and periodically during long runs.
  7. Q: Can you describe the process of internal standard calibration in Gas Chromatography?
    • A: Internal standard calibration involves adding a known concentration of a stable isotopically labeled compound to each sample. This helps correct for variations in injection volume and detector response.
  8. Q: What is the role of response factor in Gas Chromatography calibration?
    • A: The response factor is the ratio of the detector response of an analyte to the response of a standard. It is used to convert detector signals into quantitative concentrations.
  9. Q: How do you assess the accuracy and precision of a GC calibration?
    • A: Accuracy is determined by comparing the measured concentrations to known concentrations. Precision is assessed by analyzing replicate samples and calculating the relative standard deviation.
  10. Q: In Gas Chromatography, how do you handle calibration curves for different analytes?
    • A: Ideally, each analyte should have its calibration curve. However, if not feasible, a single curve may be used if the analytes have similar chemical properties and respond similarly to the detector.