Mass Spectrometry

Question 1

What is the meaning of the term ‘electron impact ionisation’?

Answer 1

Electron impact is where an atom is bombarded with energy so an electron is knocked out causing the atom to ionise into a positive ion

Question 2

Define the term ‘relative atomic mass’?

Answer 2

Average/Mean mass of an atom of an element relative to 1/12 mass of an atom of c-12.

Question 3

How are ions detected in a TOF mass spectrometer?

Answer 3

Ions hit the detector and gain as electron which then induces a current

Question 4

How is abundance measured in a TOF mass spectrometer?

Answer 4

The current is proportional to the abundance

Question 5

State why isotopes of an element have the same chemical properties

Answer 5

they have the same number of electrons/ same electron configuration

Question 6

Define the term electronegativity

Answer 6

the ability of an atom to attract a pair of electrons in a covalent bond