Mass spectrometry

• Uses for mass spectrometry:

  • Used in space
  • Analyse of drugs
• The peak at the highest m/v on the mass spectrum is formed by the heaviest ion that's passes the detector
• Calculating molecular ion peak will use the formula (n+1) with n being the number of isotopes e.g. for Br it would be 3 because Br has the isotopes 81 Br and 79 Br

  • Or think of it like 79-79 is one form of Br isotope that can be formed, 81-81 is another and then 79-81 so this would give 3 peaks
• The last peak is used to determine the Mr of a substance e.g. for this compound its Mr is 88. m/z = Mr