2006-09-05 04:40:43 · 18 answers · asked by alanpringle2020@talk21.com 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Mass Spectrometer
Instrument that produces and measures, usually by electrical means, a mass spectrum. It separates ions according to the ratio of their mass to charge, allowing scientists to determine the abundances of each isotope.
2006-09-05 04:43:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mass spectrometer is a machine that accurately measures the mass of a compound, or compounds (generally in solution). Doing this it can be used to determine whether a particular compound is present or not.
It works by measuring the mass to charge ratio of an ionically charged species. Basically a sample is injected into a mass spectrometer and vapourised (turned into gas). The sample is then ionised (split into charged particles). The ionised particles are then passed through a magentic field which causes the charged particles to move in a curve. (Charged particles are attracted the opposite charge) The level of deflection depends on their mass (Larger mass moves slower) and how charged they are (compounds can be ionised more than once and have multiple charges increasing the effect of the magnetic field). So the mass spectrometer measures the mass:charge ratio. In a sample one species will be ionised at lots of different levels so you get singly charged, doubly charged etc giving multiple peaks for one species. You can then calculate the mass of the species, giving an accurate measurement of the mass.
2006-09-05 05:06:22 · answer #2 · answered by Ellie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few types.
The most common smashes a complicated organic chemical into small pieces and weighs the pieces. Different chemicals break apart differently, so the amount of each piece and its' weight can be used to identify what the complicated organic chemical is.
There are millions of organic chemicals, which makes it hard to identify specific ones. The mass spectrometer is one of our most powerful tools for identification.
A mass spectrometer smashs chemicals in a variety of ways. The most common is to shoot electrons at the chemical, but there are other ways.
If you have a complicated sample (like human blood) you put it into a box that takes a complicated mixture of chemicals and lets them out one by one. It's called a "gas chromatograph". You send the output from this into a mass spectrometer. It identifies each one as they come out of the gas chromatograph. That is one way to identify exactly what's in your blood at a hospital. It's probably the way mass spectrometers are used most.
The whole thing is run by a computer. They inject a sample (like blood) into the front and the computer prints out a list of what chemicals are in it.
2006-09-05 09:03:27 · answer #3 · answered by Bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mass spectrometer is an instrument that seperates moving particles by mass using a powerfull magnet. By seting the instrument up with a sample of known atomic mass you can calculate the atomic masses different particles in a sample and thus make a educated guess to what they are based on their masses.
2006-09-05 05:26:54 · answer #4 · answered by moronirocks2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Mass Spectrometer is used for measuring relative atomic mass. The process is : - 1. A sample of the substance is placed in to the Mass Spec.r. 2. The sample is bombarded with electrons forming positive ions. 3. The positive ions are accelerated using an electric field. 4. The positive ions are deflected using a magnetic field. 5. The ions of the lighter isotopes/fragments are deflected more that the ions of the heavier isotopes/fragments. This separates different isotopes/fragments. 6. The ions/fragments are detected to produce a MASS SPECTRUM.
2016-03-26 23:00:01 · answer #5 · answered by Jennifer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to give a rough idea of the use, a mass spectrometer is a device you would use in Physics, biology or chemistry. it is a quite complex appareil that would use electricity to detect the composition of a liquid. According to the different ions present you can be able to identify the substance present.
2006-09-05 04:51:40 · answer #6 · answered by snelouk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a clever peice of kit thats works out the mass of particles. If you know abit of chemistry that means you can work out (or have a very good guess) what is in a sample of something.
Eg, Whats this gas? Well it has a relative mass of 32. Oh well its probably oxygen then, Obviously its much more complicated than that but i dont know that much and cant be bothered explaining what I do as it is duplicated above!
2006-09-05 10:22:02 · answer #7 · answered by Thesmileyman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It is most generally used to find the composition of a physical sample by generating a mass spectrum representing the masses of sample components. The technique has several applications.
2006-09-05 04:43:38 · answer #8 · answered by weebat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am puzzled by the terminology?
I thought a normal spectrometer already did that as it identified the make up of the sample?
2006-09-05 04:50:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes what the guy above said, its for finding the atomic (chem) composition of a substance. all elements have a unique mass therefore enableing the analasis
2006-09-05 04:44:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋