TOF mass spectrometry

Question 1

isotopes are…

Answer 1

atoms of the same element (same number of protons) with a different number of neutrons

Question 2

ionisation chamber

Answer 2

a high-speed electron is fired at the atom, which knocks an electron off (forming a positive ion) and causes a knock on effect

Question 3

acceleration

Answer 3

the isotopes are all accelerated to the same speed (same kinetic energy)

Question 4

ion drift

Answer 4

the ions travel through the chamber, and separate based on mass over time (heavier electrons travel more slowly)

Question 5

deionisation

Answer 5

the ions hit a negatively charged plate. they remove electrons as they do so, which causes a movement of electrons within the plate and therefore a current

Question 6

mass spectrum

Answer 6

the charges caused by each isotope are used to calculate relative abundance. this is graphed

Question 7

kinetic energy equation

Answer 7

Ek = 0.5 x mass x velocity^2

Question 8

as mass increases, velocity…

Answer 8

decreases