What is analytical chemistry?

Analytical chemistry can be defined as "the branch of chemistry that
deals with the separation, identification and determination of
components in a sample."  This definition is taken from notes for a
course in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Akron
http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/analytical/  It forms part of a
presentation about analytical chemistry and contains much useful
information about the methods used.

Another very simple definition appears on the web site of Seton Hall
University, South Orange, NJ. "Analytical chemistry is the application
of Physical Chemistry in the real world." http://hplc.chem.shu.edu/

Analytical chemistry uses many different methods to achieve its
objectives.  These include methods based on gravimetry (weight),
titration (volume), electrochemical methods that are based on
differences in the electrical properties of chemicals, spectroscopic
methods that are based on the differences in the way chemicals
interact with light or other types of radiation, chromatography which
separates chemicals according to how they behave in different phases
(eg liquids, gases).

About.com has a collection of links to information about different
methods used in analytical chemistry at
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/analytical/

A U.S.Geological Survey web site shows how chemists and geologists use
analytical chemistry to find out about our planet:
http://minerals.cr.usgs.gov/gips/aii-indx.htm

The Institute of Biomedical Science has a description of how
analytical chemistry is used in medicine, where it is more commonly
known as clinical chemistry:
http://www.ibms.org/00/public/content/chem_path.php3

Analytical methods are also used in food chemistry to look at the
composition and properties of food and the chemical changes it
undergoes during handling, processing and storage.
http://www.diffchamb.com/website/Archive/Templates/solutions.asp?iSecId=126
(Web site of Diffchamb, a company that develops methods for food
analysis)

Analytical chemistry is also important in many other types of studies,
for example quality control in industry, for investigating
environmental pollution, and as a tool for research.