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Chapter 3: Problem 147

How can a mass spectrometer determine if a rack sample is from Earth or from some extraterrestrial source?

Short Answer

Expert verified
A mass spectrometer can determine the origin of a rock sample by analyzing its elemental composition and isotope ratios. The sample is crushed, ionized, and its mass-to-charge ratio is measured to create a mass spectrum. By comparing this spectrum with reference samples from Earth and extraterrestrial sources, differences in elemental composition or isotopic ratios can indicate the sample's origin. For instance, higher concentrations of iridium or unique oxygen isotope ratios (\(^{16}\textrm{O}\), \(^{17}\textrm{O}\), and \(^{18}\textrm{O}\)) may suggest an extraterrestrial source.

Step by step solution

01

Understand how a mass spectrometer works

A mass spectrometer works by ionizing a sample, accelerating the ions through an electric or magnetic field, and then measuring their mass-to-charge ratio by analyzing how they are deflected in the field. By looking at the resulting mass spectrum, scientists can determine the relative abundance of various elements and isotopes in the sample.
02

Know the elemental composition of Earth rocks and extraterrestrial rocks

In order to differentiate a rock sample's origin, first, we must know the elemental compositions of Earth rocks and extraterrestrial rocks. The Earth's crust is primarily composed of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Extraterrestrial rocks, such as meteorites, can have a different elemental composition, sometimes containing rare elements or unique isotopic ratios not typically found on Earth.
03

Analyze the sample using a mass spectrometer

To analyze the rock sample, it must be crushed into powder and ionized using a mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer creates a mass spectrum, which displays the mass-to-charge ratio of ions detected in the instrument. This spectrum can be analyzed to determine the elemental composition and isotope ratios of the rock sample.
04

Compare the elemental composition and isotope ratios to Earth and extraterrestrial reference samples

Compare the elemental composition and isotope ratios obtained from the mass spectrometer with those of known Earth and extraterrestrial reference samples. Pay close attention to any differences in the elemental composition or isotopic ratios that may indicate an extraterrestrial origin. For example, certain meteorite types have higher concentrations of iridium and other platinum-group elements or unique isotopic ratios of oxygen isotopes (\(^{16}\textrm{O}\), \(^{17}\textrm{O}\), and \(^{18}\textrm{O}\)) compared to Earth rocks.
05

Determine the origin of the rock sample

Based on the comparison of the elemental composition and isotope ratios to reference samples, scientists can determine if the rock sample is from Earth or an extraterrestrial source. If the rock sample's composition and isotope ratios match with those of Earth reference samples, it is likely from Earth. If the composition and isotope ratios better match those of known extraterrestrial samples, it could potentially be from an extraterrestrial source.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In the reaction of lithium, \(\mathrm{Li}\), with nitrogen, \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\) three lithium atoms react with one nitrogen atom to give the compound \(\mathrm{Li}_{3} \mathrm{~N}\). Atoms of one of these elements lose one electron; atoms of the other element gain three electrons. (a) Which element gains the three electrons? Explain your choice. (b) Does the element that gained three electrons become a cation or an anion? (c) Give the full atomic symbol for the ion of part (b), assuming it has seven neutrons in its nucleus.

A \(110.99-g\) sample of a compound containing only calcium and chlorine is found to contain \(40.98 \mathrm{~g}\) of calcium. (a) How many grams of chlorine are in the compound? (b) What is the percent by mass of calcium in the compound? (c) What is the percent by mass of chlorine in the compound?

What evidence exists to support the theory that an atom contains a massive nucleus that is very small relative to the size of the whole atom?

Naturally occurring copper, \(\mathrm{Cu}\), is composed of two isotopes. The isotope copper-63 is \(69.17 \%\) of naturally occurring copper and has an atomic mass of \(62.94\) amu. The isotope copper- 65 has an atomic mass of \(64.93\) amu. (a) What percent of naturally occurring copper is copper-65? (b) Calculate the atomic mass of naturally occurring copper.

Two different compounds, both consisting of sodium (Na) and oxygen (O), were analyzed. The data are given below: $$ \begin{array}{cccc} & \begin{array}{l} \text { Mass of } \\ \text { sample } \\ \text { Compound } \end{array} & \begin{array}{l} \text { Mass of } \\ \text { analyzed } \end{array} & \text { O present } & \begin{array}{l} \text { Mass of } \\ \text { Na present } \end{array} \\ \hline \mathrm{A} & 19.50 \mathrm{~g} & 8.00 \mathrm{~g} & ? \\ \mathrm{~B} & 61.98 \mathrm{~g} & 16.00 \mathrm{~g} & ? \\ \hline \end{array} $$ (a) Fill in the last column of the table. (b) Calculate the \(\% \mathrm{Na}\) and \(\% \mathrm{O}\) for both compounds.
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