WM4

Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is used to find the atomic mass and relative abundances of isotopes in an element.

  • Fragmentation pattern

    • Strongest peak calibrated to 100%

    • Molecular ion peak may be too low to see

      • Molecule with only one electron removed, \(M^+\)

  • Peak at \(M+1\) due to Carbon-13

    • 1.1% of Carbon is Carbon-13

  • All molecules and fragments are ionised

    • Must be denoted with charge of +1

  • Groups can be conspicuos by absence