Mass spectrometry, Edexcel As chemistry

it can be used for determining

1. Relative atomic mass

2. Relative molecular mass

3. Isotopic abundance 

4. Molecular structure 

1 .Vaporisation

2. Ionisation

3. Accelration

4. Deflection

5. Detection 

Remember: Vanessa is a dandy dancer. 

The sample is turned into GAS aka... vaporised! 

this is done by using an electrical heater. 

The gas particles are bombarded with high speed electrons and this ionises them

the electrons knock off other electrons in order to form positive ions 

the positive ions are accelerated by an electric field

the positive ions' paths changes with a magnetic field.

the lighter ions have less momentun and are deflected more easily than heavier ions.

for a given magnetic field. only ions with a particular M/Z ( mass / charge ) ratio make it to the detector. 

the magnetic field strength is slowly increased.

this changed the mass/charge ratio of ions that can reach the detector.

this produces a mass spectrum