When vaporised, isotopes of an element can be separated in a mass spectrometer. Name the three processes that occur in a mass spectrometer before the vaporised isotopes can be detected. State how each process is achieved. (6 marks)
Once the sample is vaporised, high energy electrons are fired at the sample which knocks off a loosely held electron. (1) This step is known as election impact ionisation. (2) Due to the presence of a charge, the ions can be accelerated (3) by an electric field. (4). Once the ions enter the flight tube, they are deflected (5) by a magnetic field (6).
