AQA AS level Unit 1 Chemistry notes by Luna Hu
Atomic structure
Particle Mass (kg) Relative mass Charge (c) Relative
charge
Proton 1.67x10-27 1 1.6x10-19 +1
Neutron 1.675x10-27 1 0 0
Electron 9.11x10-31 1/1840 -1.6
...
AQA AS level Unit 1 Chemistry notes by Luna Hu
Atomic structure
Particle Mass (kg) Relative mass Charge (c) Relative
charge
Proton 1.67x10-27 1 1.6x10-19 +1
Neutron 1.675x10-27 1 0 0
Electron 9.11x10-31 1/1840 -1.6x10-19 -1
Relative atomic mass: Average weighted mass of an atom of an element relative to 1/12 mass of an atom of C12
This is why mass of C12 is exactly 12.00000 – it is the reference isotope.
Relative molecular mass: Mass of a molecule relative to 1/12th mass of C12 atom. [Relative formula mass for ionic]
Isotope: atoms with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.
Isotopes have similar chemical properties as they have the same electron number and configuration, which
determines chemical property.
Mass spectrometer:
- Find out relative atomic mass, relative molecular mass, relative isotopic abundance, and molecular structure and
to identify elements.
Condition: vacuum – no obstruction, lower pressure (thus less heat required to vaporize sample) and to clean out
sample.
1. Vaporization – Sample is vaporized so there is no attraction between the atoms.
2. Ionization – high-energy electrons from an electron gun knocks out electron(s) thus ionizes gaseous sample (in
order for the following events to happen)
3. Acceleration – negatively charged plates attract the ionized sample, forcing the sample through slits, forming a
Cation beam.
4. Deflection – The Cation beam is deflected by the magnetic field, as it is electrically charged. Extent of deflection
depends on the m/z ratio this ensures 1 isotope detected each time.
5. Detection – The sample lands on negatively charged detection plate, accepts electron(s), and a current passes.
The current is proportional to the abundance of the isotope. (Small peaks far away from main peaks are caused by
2+ ions in which 2 electrons have been removed)
Generate a mass spectrum showing the relative abundance against m/z ratio
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