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Mass spectrometer

I have question on my revision work. Hope someone around here is able to help :smile:

Why is it a good approximation to assume that the relative mass of the G^+,cations, calculated from the mass spectrometry, is the same as the relative atomic mass of Ga?

Thanks in advance!

Reply 1

joostan

Original post by melissa.darshini

I have question on my revision work. Hope someone around here is able to help :smile:

Why is it a good approximation to assume that the relative mass of the G^+,cations, calculated from the mass spectrometry, is the same as the relative atomic mass of Ga?

Thanks in advance!

Assuming you mean Ga⁺
Because electrons have a tiny mass, even compared to protons and neutrons, around 1/1838. So the mass spec, and the A_r are very similar.

Reply 2

19alex91

As above, the mass of the electron lost during the ionisation is essentially not observable to us. If you consider the fact that an electron weighs 9.11x10^-31 kg then it's obviously impossible to measure this with weighing scales.

Reply 3

melissa.darshini

Original post by joostan

Assuming you mean Ga⁺
Because electrons have a tiny mass, even compared to protons and neutrons, around 1/1838. So the mass spec, and the A_r are very similar.