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Unveiling the Elemental Composition of Coal with LIBS
During the holiday season, the tradition of giving gifts often takes center stage, but for this study, we turn our attention to the notorious “lump of coal.” While typically symbolic, coal has fascinating real-world applications, particularly in energy production, where understanding its composition is critical for improving combustion efficiency and reducing environmental impact. This experiment leverages laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), a powerful analytical technique, to investigate the elemental composition of charcoal. LIBS enables rapid, minimally destructive analysis by creating a plasma plume on the sample surface, providing valuable insights into its elemental makeup. Through this experiment, we aim to explore not only the composition of this “naughty list” staple but also demonstrate the broader capabilities of spectroscopic analysis in practical and industrial applications.