peak area

Peak area is a measurement used in chromatography to quantify how much of a specific substance is present in a sample. When a sample passes through a detector, each compound produces a signal that looks like a spike or peak on a graph. The area under this peak correlates directly with the amount of that substance in the sample; a larger area indicates a higher concentration. By calculating the peak area and comparing it to standards, scientists can accurately determine the quantity of specific compounds, making peak area a vital tool in analytical chemistry for precise sample analysis.