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Atomic Structure

Mass spectra of diatomic elements

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit AS 1

Overview

Recall questions on why the spectrum of chlorine falls into atomic and molecular groups, the m/z values of each, which isotope combination gives each molecular peak, predicting the 9 : 6 : 1 ratio from probability, the double route to the mixed peak, and the corresponding spectrum of bromine.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why does the mass spectrum of chlorine gas show peaks in two separate groups?

Key term

At which m/z values do the atomic peaks appear in the mass spectrum of chlorine?

Key term

At which m/z values do the molecular ion peaks appear in the mass spectrum of chlorine?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Why does the mass spectrum of chlorine gas show peaks in two separate groups?

    Model answer

    The lower group comes from single chlorine atoms produced by fragmentation and the higher group comes from intact Cl₂ molecular ions.

  2. 2

    At which m/z values do the atomic peaks appear in the mass spectrum of chlorine?

    Model answer

    Atomic peaks appear at m/z 35 and 37, from ³⁵Cl⁺ and ³⁷Cl⁺.

  3. 3

    At which m/z values do the molecular ion peaks appear in the mass spectrum of chlorine?

    Model answer

    Molecular ion peaks appear at m/z 70, 72 and 74.

  4. 4

    Which combination of isotopes gives the peak at m/z 72 in the spectrum of chlorine?

    Model answer

    The peak at 72 comes from a molecule containing one ³⁵Cl atom and one ³⁷Cl atom.

  5. 5

    Given that ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl occur in a 3 to 1 ratio, calculate the ratio of the three molecular peaks of Cl₂.

    Model answer

    The probabilities are (3/4)² for 70, 2 × (3/4)(1/4) for 72 and (1/4)² for 74, giving a ratio of 9 to 6 to 1.

  6. 6

    Why is the peak at m/z 72 twice as likely as simple multiplication of the two abundances suggests?

    Model answer

    A mixed molecule can be formed in two ways, with the heavier isotope on either atom, so the probability is doubled.

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