A Model for the Distribution of Concentrations of Trace Analytes In Samples From Particulate Materials

Abstract

Suppose samples of given mass are selected at random from a well-mixed lot of particulate material and analyzed for some constituent that is present in trace quantities. A family of compound Poisson distributions is proposed as a model for the distribution of the concentrations of the analyte in this case. The parameters of the model have definite physical interpretations. The properties of the model are discussed and experiments done to study the applicability of the model are described.

KEY WORDS:

• Material sampling
• Material variation
• Homogeneity
• Compound Poisson distribution