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Chemistry vocabulary · Analytical Methods

Calibration curve

Meaning in chemistry, with examples

nounCommon term

In chemistry, calibration curve means: A graph of instrument signal against the known concentrations of several standards. The concentration of an unknown sample is read from it using the sample's signal.

In Turkish: kalibrasyon eğrisi, ölçü eğrisi

How it is used

Used in UV-Vis, AAS, HPLC and many other quantitative methods. You prepare standards, plot the calibration curve, check its linearity (R²) and make sure your samples fall within its range. It is also called a standard curve.

Example sentences

  1. The calibration curve was linear from 1 to 20 mg/L, with an R² of 0.999.

  2. This sample is above the top standard, so dilute it and read it again against the calibration curve.

Common collocations

  • plot a calibration curve
  • linear calibration curve
  • standard curve
  • calibration range
  • standard solutionA solution whose concentration is known accurately. It is used to find the concentration of other solutions in titrations or to build calibration curves.
  • spectroscopyThe study of how matter absorbs or emits light and other radiation, used to identify substances and measure their amounts. UV-Vis, IR and NMR are common types.
  • concentrationThe amount of a substance in a given volume of solution or mixture, for example in moles per liter (mol/L), grams per liter or parts per million (ppm).
  • diluteTo make a solution weaker by adding more solvent, usually water. As an adjective, the word describes a solution with a low concentration.

More terms: Analytical Methods

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