TOF Mass spectrometer

Question 1

What are the stages

Answer 1

• ionisation
• acceleration
• flight tube
• detection

Question 2

What is ionisation

Answer 2

• a gaseous sample is bombarded
• by high energy electrons from electron gun
• electron collides and knocks off electron
• atom becomes unipositive

Question 3

what is the equation for ionisation

Answer 3

X(g) + e- –> X+(g) + 2e-

Question 4

what is electron ionisation

Answer 4

• sample dissolved in polar solvent
• injected using hypodermic capillary needle
• tip has a very high voltage -> converts sample into fine mist (aerosol)
• particles ionised by gaining a proton from the solvent
• technique also known as soft ionisation