9. Signal to Noise Ratio

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define signal and noise in the context of measurement.

   Hint

   Think about examples in your environment where background factors may have influenced what you perceived.

2. 2.

   What does SNR stand for?

   Hint

   Consider the relationship between what you’re measuring and what could interfere with that measurement.

3. 3.

   What does the signal to noise ratio indicate?

   • The strength of the signal
   • The amount of noise
   • How clear the measurement is in relation to the noise

   Hint

   Think about the clarity of what you measure versus distractions.

4. 4.

   True or False: A lower detection limit is better for instruments.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider what 'detection limit' means as it applies to sensitivity.

5. 5.

   You have a water sample with a concentration of 0.05 mg/L. Your detection limit is 0.1 mg/L. What does this imply about your ability to measure this sample accurately?

   Hint

   Remember how detection limits work concerning your measurements.

6. 6.

   Design an experiment to test the effect of varying sample volumes on SNR in a given measurement setting.

   Hint

   Consider the relationship between volume, concentration, and detection limits.