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Chapter 3: Problem 31

Describe the operation of a mass spectrometer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A mass spectrometer operates by ionizing a sample in the ion source, separating these ions in the mass analyzer based on their mass-to-charge ratios, and detecting the separated ions to produce a mass spectrum.

Step by step solution

01

Ion Source

The ion source is where the sample to be analyzed is inserted. It becomes ionized here. During the ionization process, the sample is hit by a beam of electrons, causing the sample to lose electrons and become positively charged ions.
02

Mass Analyzer

The ions are accelerated by an electric field towards the mass analyzer. This part of the mass spectrometer uses a magnetic field to separate the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The ions with a lower m/z will be deflected more than those with a higher m/z.
03

Detector

After the ions are separated in the mass analyzer, they move towards the detector. The detector records the charge induced or current generated when an ion passes by or hits a surface. As a result, a mass spectrum, which is a plot of ion abundance versus m/z, is produced to present the types and amounts of ions present in the sample.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The atomic masses of \({ }_{17}^{35} \mathrm{Cl}(75.53\) percent \()\) and \({ }_{17}^{37} \mathrm{Cl}\) (24.47 percent) are 34.968 amu and 36.956 amu, respectively. Calculate the average atomic mass of chlorine. The percentages in parentheses denote the relative abundances.

How many grams of gold (Au) are there in 15.3 moles of \(\mathrm{Au} ?\)

Earth's population is about 6.5 billion. Suppose that every person on Earth participates in a process of counting identical particles at the rate of two particles per second. How many years would it take to count \(6.0 \times 10^{23}\) particles? Assume that there are 365 days in a year.

Potash is any potassium mineral that is used for its potassium content. Most of the potash produced in the United States goes into fertilizer. The major sources of potash are potassium chloride \((\mathrm{KCl})\) and potassium sulfate \(\left(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)\). Potash production is often reported as the potassium oxide \(\left(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right)\) equivalent or the amount of \(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) that could be made from a given mineral. (a) If \(\mathrm{KCl}\) costs \(\$ 0.055\) per \(\mathrm{kg}\), for what price (dollar per \(\mathrm{kg}\) ) must \(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) be sold in order to supply the same amount of potassium on a per dollar basis? (b) What mass (in \(\mathrm{kg}\) ) of \(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) contains the same number of moles of \(\mathrm{K}\) atoms as \(1.00 \mathrm{~kg}\) of \(\mathrm{KCl} ?\)

The aluminum sulfate hydrate \(\left[\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3} \cdot x \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right]\) contains 8.20 percent Al by mass. Calculate \(x\), that is, the number of water molecules associated with each \(\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\right)_{3}\) unit.
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