Atoms and Isotopes

What is an Isotope

Atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons and masses

How do different isotopes of the same element react

All isotopes of one element react the same way as they all have the same electron configuration

What does abundance tell us

Tells us how common the isotope is

What do you use a mass spectrometer to do

Find out the abundance of different isotopes of a substance

How does a mass spectrometer work

Sample is vapourised

Sample is ionised to form positive ions

Ions are accelerated ( heavier ones more slower/less deflected)

Ions are detected as a mass to charge ratio

Each ion produces a signal, larger the signal/larger the abundance

What is the unit of a mass to ratio charge

M/z

What is a mass spectra used for

Used to calculate the relative atomic mass of the element and its isotopes