The Student Room Group

Mass Spectrometry question help

Hi,

I'm studying AS OCR chemistry and I'm not sure how to answer one of the questions on Mass Spectrometry.

Question: A sample of Hydrogen containing the Isotopes Hydrogen-1, Hydrogen-2 and Hydrogen-3 was analysed in a Mass Spectrometer. How many peaks corresponding to H2+ would be expected?

The answer is 5 but I have no idea how/why that is the answer.

Any help would be appreciated :smile:
Original post by -inspired-
Hi,

I'm studying AS OCR chemistry and I'm not sure how to answer one of the questions on Mass Spectrometry.

Question: A sample of Hydrogen containing the Isotopes Hydrogen-1, Hydrogen-2 and Hydrogen-3 was analysed in a Mass Spectrometer. How many peaks corresponding to H2+ would be expected?

The answer is 5 but I have no idea how/why that is the answer.

Any help would be appreciated :smile:


In a molecule there are two atoms and either of the atoms can be 1H, 2H or 3H

How many possible combinations are there?
Reply 2
Original post by charco
In a molecule there are two atoms and either of the atoms can be 1H, 2H or 3H

How many possible combinations are there?


I thought of that, but wouldn't that only provide three combinations?

1H + 2H
1H + 3H
2H + 3H

Unless I'm missing something (which is highly likely!)
Original post by -inspired-
I thought of that, but wouldn't that only provide three combinations?

1H + 2H
1H + 3H
2H + 3H

Unless I'm missing something (which is highly likely!)


What about 1H + 1H, 2H + 2H and 3H + 3H?
Reply 4
Original post by charco
What about 1H + 1H, 2H + 2H and 3H + 3H?


Ah I knew I was forgetting some combinations! Wouldn't that make six peaks though?
Reply 5
What would the m/z values of the six peaks be?
Reply 6
Original post by Pigster
What would the m/z values of the six peaks be?


Oh I see, so the 1H + 3H possibility has the same m/z value as 2H + 2H so wouldn't form it's own peak so there would be five. Thank you so much both of you :smile:

Quick Reply

Latest