Which statement correctly describes the behavior of triply charged uranium-235 and uranium-238 ions in a mass spectrometer?

• A. Both uranium-235 and uranium-238 ions will be deflected equally because they have the same charge.
• B. Uranium-235 and uranium-238 ions cannot be separated in a mass spectrometer.
• C. Uranium-238 ions will be deflected more than uranium-235 ions due to their higher mass.
• D. Uranium-235 ions will be deflected more than uranium-238 ions due to their lower mass.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that in a mass spectrometer, ions are deflected by a magnetic field based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The deflection depends on how much the ion's path bends when subjected to the magnetic field.
2. Recall the formula for the radius of curvature \(r\) of an ion moving in a magnetic field: \(r = \frac{mv}{zB}\), where \(m\) is the mass of the ion, \(v\) is its velocity, \(z\) is the charge, and \(B\) is the magnetic field strength.
3. Since both uranium-235 and uranium-238 ions have the same charge (\(z = +3\)) and are subjected to the same magnetic field and velocity, the difference in deflection comes from their masses \(m\).
4. Because uranium-235 has a lower mass than uranium-238, its radius of curvature \(r\) will be smaller, meaning it will be deflected more sharply in the mass spectrometer.
5. Therefore, uranium-235 ions will be separated from uranium-238 ions by their different deflections, with uranium-235 ions showing greater deflection due to their lower mass.