What is Mass Spectrometry?

Mass spectrometry is a technique we use to analyse and determine the structure of compound. Generally, it works by injecting your compound into an ionisation chamber, where it breaks up into smaller fragment ions. These fragments then travel though a magnet (the analyser) which changes the path of the different ions depending on their size- smaller fragments are deflected more by the magnetic field (F=ma) than larger ones. The sorted fragments then pass through to the detector, where we are shown our mass spectrum. The largest fragment, M+, is the molecular ion, and usually is your compound minus a proton etc. Smaller fragments can give you information about the structure of a molecule, for example if there is a benzene ring in your compound, you might see a fragment with a mass of ~77. These fragments give you a characteristic relative abundance spectrum (specific to your compound).

Answered by Sinead B. Chemistry tutor

2989 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is optical isomerism and how can you distinguish between optical isomers?


Explain why the second ionisation energy of boron is higher than the first ionisation energy of boron.


In an experiment a burrette was identified as the largest source of uncertainty, how could this uncertainty be reduced?


Describe the shape of and bonding in a molecule of benzine. Explain why benzene doesn't readily undergo reactions.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences