Qualitative Analysis

Qualitative analysis in analytical chemistry is the process of determining the presence or absence of specific substances in a sample. Instead of measuring how much of a substance is there (quantitative analysis), qualitative analysis focuses on identifying what substances are present. This can be done through various techniques, such as color changes, reactions with reagents, or using specialized equipment. The goal is to provide information about the composition of a sample, which is crucial in fields like drug testing, environmental monitoring, and quality control in manufacturing.