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Mass Spectrometry Questions

This document contains two conceptual problems about mass spectrometers. The first problem asks about the trajectories of uranium ions with different atomic masses (U-235 and U-238) as they enter a mass spectrometer. It asks if the ions will strike the collecting plate in different locations, and how changing the magnetic field strength or ion velocity will affect the spacing between where the ions strike. The second problem asks about estimating the speed needed for a uranium ion to orbit the Earth above the equator given the magnetic field strength, and whether gravity can be ignored in this calculation.

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Joachim Ssempijja
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9K views2 pages

Mass Spectrometry Questions

This document contains two conceptual problems about mass spectrometers. The first problem asks about the trajectories of uranium ions with different atomic masses (U-235 and U-238) as they enter a mass spectrometer. It asks if the ions will strike the collecting plate in different locations, and how changing the magnetic field strength or ion velocity will affect the spacing between where the ions strike. The second problem asks about estimating the speed needed for a uranium ion to orbit the Earth above the equator given the magnetic field strength, and whether gravity can be ignored in this calculation.

Uploaded by

Joachim Ssempijja
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Theme 13 (13.2.1-13.2.

3)
Mass Spectrometer Conceptual Questions

Description: Short conceptual problem on uranium and carbon ion trajectories in the presence of a magnetic
field.
A beam of singly ionized uranium atoms (U-235 and U-238 ) is injected into the mass spectrometer shown in
the figure. The ions all have the same velocities and charges. The ions follow the trajectory illustrated.

Part A
Will theU-235 ions strike the collecting plate above, below, or at the same location as the U-238 ions?

Part B
If the magnetic field strength in the spectrometer is increased, will the spacing between where the U235 and
U-238 ions strike increase, decrease, or stay the same?

Part C
If the initial velocity of the ions as they enter the spectrometer is increased, will the spacing between where
the U-235 and U-238 ions strike increase, decrease, or stay the same?

Part D

If a beam of singly ionized carbon atoms ( C-12 and C-13 ) is injected into the same mass spectrometer as the
uranium ions, will the spacing between the carbon ions be greater than, less than, or equal to the spacing
between the uranium ions?

Problem 1

Description: Suppose the Earth's magnetic field at the equator has magnitude 0.40 * 10 - 4 T and a northerly
direction at all points. (a) Estimate the speed a singly ionized uranium ion m = 238 u, q = e would need to
circle the
Earth 5.0 km above the equator. (b) Can you ignore gravity? Explain why.

Cc Joachim 17/1/2010 Page 1


Theme 13 (13.2.1-13.2.3)
Problem 2

1. An α -particle A approaches and passes by a stationary gold nucleus N.


The path is illustrated in Fig. 2.1.

(a) On Fig. 2.1, mark the angle of deviation D of this α -particle as a result of passing the
nucleus N. [1]
(b) A second α -particle B has the same initial direction and energy as α -particle A.
On Fig. 2.1, complete the path of α -particle B as it approaches and passes by the nucleus
N. [2]
(c) State what can be inferred about atoms from the observation that very few α -particles
experience large deviations.
[2]
(d) The nucleus N could be one of several different isotopes of gold.
Suggest, with an explanation, whether different isotopes of gold would give rise to different
deviations of a particular α -particle.

Cc Joachim 17/1/2010 Page 2

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