Mass
Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry explains how atoms and molecules are converted into ions, accelerated, separated by time of flight and detected to produce a mass spectrum.
These pages cover the simple TOF mass spectrometer, RAM calculations, isotope patterns and the use of mass spectra to identify elements and find relative molecular mass.
Revision Notes
5 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
The Mass Spectrometer
Ionisation, acceleration, ion drift, detection and how each stage produces mass spectrum data.
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Time of Flight
How ion velocity, flight time and mass-to-charge ratio are linked in a TOF mass spectrometer.
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RAM Calculations
Using relative isotopic masses and relative abundances to calculate relative atomic mass.
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Predicting Diatomic Mass Spectra
Predicting molecular ion peaks and relative peak heights for diatomic molecules from isotope combinations.
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Identifying Compounds from Mass Spectra
Using molecular ion peaks and accurate mass information to identify unknown elements or compounds.
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Atoms and Time of Flight Map
AQA A-level Chemistry · 3.1.1 Atomic structure: atoms and mass spectrometry
Atomic models, fundamental particles, isotopes, the time-of-flight mass spectrometer and relative atomic mass on one A4 page.
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3.1.1.2
- iv b
understand acceleration in a simple time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, including giving all ions constant kinetic energy
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3.3.6.2
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