How are liquid samples blended before chemical analysis?

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Viking 1 on Mars — sample preparation Viking 1's sample scoop, poised to extract material from the surface of Mars.

In the context of analytical chemistry, ensuring that a liquid sample is homogeneous is a critical step in sample preparation.

To achieve thorough blending of liquid samples, they can be stirred or subjected to other forms of agitation. These processes are essential to ensure that the test portion selected for analysis is representative of the entire laboratory sample.1

When dealing with more complex mixtures, such as those involving solids suspended in liquids, or when performing specific isolation techniques like solvent extraction, agitation remains a fundamental method for facilitating the migration of chemical species between phases or ensuring uniform distribution.23