In a Mass Spectrometer, ions of a precisely selected speed are sent into a unifo

Question

In a Mass Spectrometer, ions of a precisely selected speed are sent into a uniform magnetic field where they move along a semicircle and then strike a photographic plate or a detector array, making a mark. A careful measurement of the distance of the mark from the entrance slit gives us the diameter (and the radius) of the circular motion of the ion in the magnetic field, and from that the mass can be calculated. Suppose that the magnetic field in the mass spectrometer is 0.050 T. Suppose that an ion of charge e and speed 4.0x104m/s is found to strike the photographic plate at a distance of 0.332 m from the entrance slit. What is the mass of the ion?

Explanation / Answer

we know the radius of the path is given by R = m*v/(B*q) here 2*R = 0.332 m => m = 0.05*1.602*10^-19*0.332/(2*4*10^4) = 3.32*10^-26 kg

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.