(physical) 3.1.1 atomic structure Flashcards
What can differ in a isotope ?
physical properties (such as density )
what is mass spectrometry ?
instrumental method of analysis used to :
- to find the mass of each isotope and percentage (abundance) of each isotope in a sample to determine relative atomic mass
- find the relative molecular mass of substances made of molecules
What are the 4 main stages of ToF mass spectrometry ?
- ionisation
- acceleration
- flight tube
- detection (ion)
What are the 2 types of ionisation ?
- electron impact ionisation (electron ionisation )
- electrospray ionisation
What is the method for electron impact ionisation ( electron ionisation ) ?
- sample is vapourised
- high energy electrons are fired at it with the use of an electron gun
- This allows an electron to be knocked off from each particle forming 1+ ions
- 1+ ions attracted to a negative electric plate where they are accelerated
What is the general equation for electron impact ionisation ?
X (g) —–> X+ (g) + e-
e.g
Mg (g) —–> Mg+ (g) + e-
(g) means gas
What is the method for electrospray ionisation ?
- sample is dissolved in a volatile solvent
- injected through hypodermic needle at high pressure to produce a fine mist (aerosol)
- high voltage applied to needle
- particles ionised by gaining a proton (H+ ion ) from the solvent as they leave the needle producing XH+ ions
- solvent evaporates and XH+ ions are attracted towards a negative plate where they are accelerated
What is the general equation for electrospray ionisation ?
X(g) + H+ —–> XH+ (g)
Stage 2 - acceleration (what is the method? )
- positive ions are accelerated by electric field
- all ions have the same kinetic energy
- ions with lower mass/charge ratio experience greater acceleration (lighter so accelerate more quickly )
in stage 2 - acceleration of ToF mass spectrometry why are the ions accelerated using a electric field ?
so that they have the same kinetic energy
What does the velocity of each particle depend on
The mass
What velocity do lighter particles have ?
faster velocity as they have less mass
What velocity do heavier particles have ?
slower velocity as they have more mass
What equation would be used for acceleration ?
KE = 1/2 mv^2
(rearrange to find velocity, given in exam )
What is kinetic energy (KE) measured in ?
J (joules)
What is mass (m) measured in ?
kg
What is velocity (v) measured in ?
m s ^-1
What is stage 3 in Tof mass spectrometry ?
Flight tube
What is the method for flight tube ?
- positive ions travel through a hole in the negatively charged plate into the tube .
- Time of flight depends on velocity
- The velocity depends on the mass
What is the equation for time of flight along the flight tube ?
t = d/v
then substitute v with the rearranged formula of KE = 1/2mv^2
what does t stand for and what is its unit ?
t = time of flight ( s )
What does d stand for and what is its unit ?
d = length of flight tube (m)
What does v stand for and what is its unit ?
v = velocity of particle (m s^-1)
What does m stand for and what is its unit ?
m = mass of particle (kg)
What does KE stand for and what is its unit ?
KE = kinetic energy of particle (J)
What does the ToF along flight tube equation show ?
It shows ToF is directly proportional to the square root of the mass of the ions
If ToF is directly proportional to the square root of the mass of the ions what does this mean ?
- lighter ions travel faster and reach detector in less time - heavier ions move slower and take longer to reach detector
What is stage 4 in ToF mass spectrometry ?
Detection
What is the method for detection ?
- positive ions hit the detector
-when they hit the plate the positive ions are discharged by gaining electrons from the plate - this generates a movement of electrons and an electric current gives a measure of the number of ions hitting the plate
- size of current (charge) is proportional to the abundance of the ions
What does the mass spectrum show ?
the mass to charge ratio (m/z) and the relative abundance of each ion
What does mass spectrometry tell us ?
mass of each isotope and percentage (abundance) of each isotope in a sample to determine relative atomic mass
how would you calculate relative atomic mass?
mass times abundance / 100
if there is a mass spectrum produced via electron impact ionisation what would a high m/z value mean ?
Its value is from the molecular ion and its m/z value gives the relative molecular mass
if there is a mass spectrum produced via electron impact ionisation why are there small peaks (low m/z ratio) ?
- Due to fragmentation (main answer)
- due to molecular ions that contain different isotopes