Which of the following are SEM-EDS machine components? (There can be one or more correct answers)
Detectors
Sample chamber
Electron gun and electron optics
Crystal
Camera
How is the SEM image generated? (There can be one or more correct answers)
By detecting secondary and backscattered electrons
By detecting the emitted X-ray photon
By detecting primary electrons
Why is it important to not use volatile materials when analysing with SEM-EDS? (There can be one or more correct answers)
The compounds will sublimate and contaminate the chamber and the instrument components in it
The components in the material would start to react with one another
They would melt in the vacuum
Does the sample matrix influence the result of determining elements by SEM-EDS? (There can be one or more correct answers)
Yes, the same concentration on the same element gives different signals in different matrixes
No, EDS analyses all the elements separately
Yes, the machine is only able to analyse a few matrixes
No, the machine searches for one element during a scan
Is it possible to use SEM-EDS method to find out whether red lead (Pb3O4) or massicot (PbO) was used as a pigment in the paint sample?
Which of the following analysis tasks would you consider performing using SEM-EDS? (There can be one or more correct answers)
Determining the pigment composition of a blue paint on a 60 cm x 80 cm painting from which taking samples is not allowed
Determining the binder of a painting from which small samples are available from a part that is eclipsed by the frame and is thus not visible
Determining the approximate elemental composition of a small potsherd
Determining the type of a textile fibre
Determining whether a small glass bead contains lead
An analyst analysed elements in a small yellow paint sample with SEM-EDS and obtained the following spectrum:
Based on the elements in the EDS spectrum, which of the following are probable pigment and/or filler combinations in the sample?
Strontium yellow and barium sulphate
Chrome yellow and barium sulphate
Strontium yellow and gypsum
Chromium(III) sulphate and barium carbonate
Chrome yellow and potassium carbonate
