3.3.6.2 Mass Spectrometry

What does mass spectrometry do

Identifies unknown compounds

How does mass spectrometry occur

Molecules of a sample are bombarded with high energy electrons causing a molecule to lose an electron, forming a positive molecular ion

What can occur to a molecular ion after its formed

It can further fragment to form new ions, molecules and radicals

What occurs to fragmented ions

They are accelerated by an electric field and then deflected into a detector

Define a base peak

The peak corresponding to the most abundant ion

Define an isotope

Different atoms of the same element that contain the same number of protons and electrons but different number of neutrons

Define relative abundance of isotopes

Proportion of one particular isotope in a mixture of isotopes

How is m/z ratio determined

Divide molecular mass by charge