Question detail
What does a peak in a mass spectrum represent?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atomic structure
Question
- A. The presence of a specific isotope
- B. The total mass of all isotopes
- C. The average atomic mass of an element
- D. The number of protons in an atom
Answer
The presence of a specific isotope
Explanation
The evidence shows that each peak in a mass spectrum corresponds to a specific isotope of an element. This indicates that the mass spectrum can be used to identify the different isotopes present in a sample. The implication is that mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for analyzing isotopic composition, leading to the conclusion that it provides valuable information about the atomic structure of elements.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Mass Spectra Peaks
Students often misinterpret the peaks in a mass spectrum, thinking that each peak represents a different element rather than different isotopes of the same element.
To correct this, students should focus on understanding that each peak corresponds to isotopes of the same element, with the height of the peak indicating the relative abundance of each isotope.
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