S.1.2.3 Mass Spectroscopy

Question 1

Components of a mass spectrometer

Answer 1

Ionizer, mass analyzer, detector

Question 2

V in VIADD

Answer 2

Vaporization of sample

Question 3

I in VIADD

Answer 3

Ionization of sample; electron beams knock electrons from their orbit, leaving positive ions

Question 4

A in VIADD

Answer 4

Acceleration of sample by an electric field

Question 5

D1 in VIADD

Answer 5

Deflection; charged ions (1+) are deflected by the magnet

Atoms and ions that do not have a 1+ charge do not reach the detector

Question 6

D2 in VIADD

Answer 6

Detection; lighter isotopes turn more sharply; different isotopes hit at different areas on the detector

Degree of deflection is inversely proportional to mass to charge ratio

Question 7

Mass spectrum

Answer 7

The relative abundances of all detected ions plotted against their m/z ratios in a sample

Question 8

Use of mass spectrometer

Answer 8

Determines relative atomic masses of elements and their abundance

Question 9

Relative abundance

Answer 9

Percentage of atoms with a specific mass number in a naturally occurring sample of the element

Question 10

Why can samples be easily vaporized in the mass spectrometer?

Answer 10

No pressure due to the vacuum in the ionizer and high heat vaporize samples.

Question 11

Carbon-12 is the standard

Answer 11

Hydrogen-1 has a mass of 1 relative to carbon-12