2006-07-11 10:03:11 · 5 answers · asked by rhythmzoo 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The machine is called a mass spectrometer. Individual molecules have a particular mass signature. So they wipe your luggage looking for explosive and drug chemical signatures. Mass Spectrometry is very accurate and reliable. they also have hand held ones. I just looked at one smaller than a coffee cup.
2006-07-11 10:17:01 · answer #1 · answered by bunja2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cloth is then put in a machine, which sniffs it chemically for explosive residue. presumably, if you have a bomb in your luggage, the residue that would get all over the inside of your bag would be detactable.
2006-07-11 10:12:28 · answer #2 · answered by double-plus-good_thoughtcrime 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are testing to see if you have explosives in your bag. The residue from the explosives will transfer to the little disc. Then they put it in a mass spectrometer (I think). It looks at the molecular masses of any residues and then compares them to a library that is in the computer.
2006-07-11 13:26:09 · answer #3 · answered by jsn77raider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they're looking for explosive residue.
2006-07-11 11:50:12 · answer #4 · answered by nardhelain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm, I can't say that's ever happened to me before...
2006-07-11 10:06:42 · answer #5 · answered by PANDABEAR 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋