THE MASS SPECTROMETER

These positive ions are attracted towards negatively charged

plates and accelerated to high speeds

Nearly all atoms lose just the one electron, but about 5% will
lose 2 electrons

The magnetic field deflects the beam of ions into an arc.

Deflection of an ion depends on the ratio of its mass to charge
(m/z). Heavy ions are deflected less than light ions
A beam of electrons from an ‘electron gun’ knocks out an
electron from an atom or molecule to form a positive ion

Ions strike the detector, accept electrons, lose charge and

generate a current

The speed they reach depends on their mass. Lighter ions will
go faster than heavy ions

A mass spectra graph is produced by a computer to show the

relative abundances of each type of ion present

Some ions pass through slits in the plates. This forms the ions
into a beam

The current generated is proportional to the abundance of the

ion

The magnetic field is gradually increased so ions of increased

mass enter the detector one after the other

The beam of the ions passes through a magnetic field