Analytical Techniques

Question 1

Mass Spectrometer

Answer 1

Used to measure the masses of different isotopes and their relative abundance.

Question 2

Relative Atomic Mass

Answer 2

The relative atomic mass (Ar) of an element is the average mass of an atom of the element taking into account all its isotopes and their relative abundance.

(relative isotopic mass X %isotopic abundance)/100

Question 3

Flame Test

Answer 3

Colour occurs because an electron can jump to a higher energy level if it absorbs the energy that corresponds to the difference between the lower and higher levels.

This is unstable so the excited electron quickly returns to the lower level (ground state) by emitting energy as visible light (photon).