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Mass Spectrometer quiz

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  • Which particle has negligible mass in the context of a mass spectrometer?
    Electrons have negligible mass compared to other particles like protons or ions.
  • What is the purpose of ionization in a mass spectrometer?
    Ionization adds or removes electrons to charge particles, allowing them to feel magnetic and electric forces necessary for acceleration and velocity selection.
  • How does a mass spectrometer accelerate charged particles?
    Charged particles are accelerated through a potential difference, creating an electric field that pushes them, resulting in increased velocity.
  • What is the role of the velocity selector in a mass spectrometer?
    The velocity selector filters particles by speed, allowing only those with the desired velocity to pass through by balancing electric and magnetic forces.
  • How is the direction of the magnetic field in the velocity selector determined?
    The direction is determined using the right-hand rule, ensuring the magnetic force cancels the electric force for particles with the target velocity.
  • What happens to particles after they pass through the velocity selector?
    Particles move in a circular path due to the magnetic field, with the radius of this path used to calculate the mass of the particles.
  • What equation relates charge, potential difference, and kinetic energy in a mass spectrometer?
    The equation Q Delta V = Delta K relates charge and potential difference to the change in kinetic energy of the particles.
  • How is the velocity of particles determined in a mass spectrometer?
    The velocity is determined using the equation V = E/B, where E is the electric field and B is the magnetic field.
  • What is the equation for the radius of the particle path in a mass spectrometer?
    The equation R = M V / Q B is used to calculate the radius of the particle path, where M is mass, V is velocity, Q is charge, and B is the magnetic field.
  • Why is it important to control the speed of particles in a mass spectrometer?
    Controlling the speed ensures that only particles with the desired velocity pass through the velocity selector, allowing accurate mass measurement.
  • What is the significance of the right-hand rule in mass spectrometry?
    The right-hand rule helps determine the direction of the magnetic field needed to balance forces and allow particles with the correct velocity to pass through.