Description
Return measured minus reference, that difference divided by reference, and that difference divided by the quantum.
Geochemical normalization compares a measurement with a supplied reference or reporting basis. Ratios remove compatible units, while rescaled concentrations retain a unit; a chosen reference is an assumption rather than an independently verified material standard.
Return measured minus reference, that difference divided by reference, and that difference divided by the quantum.
When to use this tool
Use Trace Element Reference Gap when you need one reference-normalization or reporting-convention calculation.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter measuredConcentration, referenceConcentration, reportingQuantum. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read difference, relativeDifference, quantumDifference. Use the output convention below.
Require nonnegative measuredConcentration and positive referenceConcentration and reportingQuantum. Return measured minus reference, that difference divided by reference, and that difference divided by the quantum.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| measuredConcentration | Measured Concentration | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| referenceConcentration | Reference Concentration | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| reportingQuantum | Reporting Quantum | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| difference | Difference | Required. Finite number. |
| relativeDifference | Relative Difference | Required. Finite number. |
| quantumDifference | Quantum Difference | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"measuredConcentration": 12,
"referenceConcentration": 10,
"reportingQuantum": 0.5
},
"output": {
"difference": 2,
"relativeDifference": 0.2,
"quantumDifference": 4
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- All three inputs must use matching concentration units. Relative and quantum differences are dimensionless and signed; the reference and quantum are caller supplied, not detection limits or regulatory thresholds chosen by the tool.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use the complete analytical method and appropriate reference materials for interpretation. Align concentration units, dry/wet basis, detection-limit handling, and reference provenance before comparing samples.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Element Enrichment Reference Ratio Term
Return sample and reference element/normalizer ratios and their ratio as enrichmentFactor.
- Rare Earth Chondrite Normalized One Element
Return sample/reference, the geometric mean of the two supplied normalized neighbors, and their ratio as anomaly.