topic 1 - atomic structure and the periodic table Flashcards
What do mass spectrometers produce?
Mass spectra
What can mass spectrometers identify and compare?
The relative isotopic masses and relative abundances of different elements by producing mass spectra
Why are mass spectrometers used to analyze atoms?
Because individual atoms are too small to be counted and weighed
What is the first step in using a mass spectrometer?
A gaseous sample is placed into the device
How is the sample ionized in mass spectrometry?
By bombardment with electrons
Why are atoms/molecules converted to positive ions in mass spectrometry?
For detection in the gaseous/vapour state
Why is there a high vacuum inside the mass spectrometer?
To prevent interference from atoms and molecules in air
How are positive ions accelerated in a mass spectrometer?
They are accelerated towards a negatively charged detection plate due to an electric field
How does the mass analyser separate ions in mass spectrometry?
By mass:charge ratio (m/z)
How does a magnetic field affect ions in a mass spectrometer?
Ions are deflected into a curved path, with heavier ions experiencing less deflection and ions with more positive charge experiencing more deflection
What does the ion detector in mass spectrometry do?
It detects and counts the number of ions for each different m/z value
What happens when positive ions hit the negatively charged detection plate?
They gain an electron, producing a flow of charge
What determines the current produced by the ion detector?
The greater the abundance, the greater the current produced
What information can be obtained from the mass spectrum graph?
Number of isotopes, most abundant and least abundant isotopes, isotopic composition, RAM, and relative molecular masses of compounds
What is assumed about the charge of the ion in mass spectrometry?
It is assumed that the ion produced has a 1+ charge
What happens if an ion with greater charge (2+) is produced?
The ion is affected more by the magnetic field, producing a curved path of smaller radius
How does a 2+ charge affect the mass:charge ratio on the mass spectrum?
The mass:charge ratio is halved and appears as half the expected m/z value
What does the small peak at half the expected m/z value represent?
A 2+ charged ion
What causes the existence of a small peak in mass spectrometry?
- More (specific number) electrons knocked out at ionisation stage, so same mass to charge ratio as charge increases/decreases (relate to context of question)
How do you calculate the RAM from a mass spectrum?
Multiply each relative isotopic mass by its relative isotopic abundance, add the results, and divide by the sum of isotopic abundances
What might cause the RAM of a sample to be different from the RAM given in periodic table?
- Different abundances of isotopes
- Other isotopes could be present
Where is most of the mass of an atom concentrated?
Most of the mass of the atom is concentrated in the nucleus as it consists of protons and neutrons.
What is the atomic number?
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom – this is also the number of electrons.
What is the mass number?
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
What are isotopes?
Atoms with the same number of protons in the nucleus but a different number of neutrons (same atomic number, different mass number).
What chemical properties do isotopes have?
Isotopes have the same chemical properties as these are decided by the number and arrangement of electrons.
What physical properties do isotopes have?
Isotopes have different physical properties as these depend on the mass of the atom.
What is relative isotopic mass?
The mass of one atom of an isotope relative to 1/12th the mass of a carbon-12 atom. The values are relative and do not have units.
Why are relative isotopic masses not always whole numbers?
They are not always whole numbers as the mass of a proton is slightly less than the mass of a neutron, though they usually are whole numbers.
What is relative atomic mass?
The average mass of an atom of an element (containing a mixture of isotopes) relative to 1/12th the mass of a carbon-12 atom. The values are relative and do not have units.
Why are relative atomic masses not whole numbers?
They are the average value for the mixture of isotopes found naturally, so they are not in whole numbers.
What is relative molecular mass?
The relative molecular mass of an element or compound is the sum of the relative atomic masses (RAM) of all the atoms in its molecular formula.
What is relative formula mass?
The relative formula mass of a compound is the sum of the relative atomic masses of all the atoms or ions in its formula. This applies to ionic or giant covalent compounds, where ions do not affect the mass.
How do you calculate relative atomic mass?
∑(isotopic abundance * isotopic mass number)/100
What happens to energy levels of shells as they move further from the nucleus?
Shells further from the nucleus have a greater energy level than those close to the nucleus.
What do shells contain?
Shells contain different types of subshells which have different numbers of orbitals.
What is an orbital?
An orbital is a region of space where electrons move randomly, and it can hold up to two electrons with opposite spins, and there is >95% probability of finding an electron