Refer to Figure 2.10 showing a schematic illustration of a mass spectrometer. (a) What is the purpose of bombarding the gaseous atoms with an electron beam?

Key Concepts

Ionization

Ionization is the process of converting neutral atoms or molecules into charged ions by adding or removing charged particles, typically electrons. In mass spectrometry, bombarding gaseous atoms with an electron beam provides enough energy to eject electrons from these atoms, resulting in the formation of positive ions. This is a crucial step for analyzing the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions produced.

Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It involves ionizing chemical species and sorting the resulting ions based on their mass and charge. The data obtained allows for the identification and quantification of substances in a sample, making it a powerful tool in chemistry and biochemistry.

Electron Beam

An electron beam is a stream of electrons that can be directed towards a target, such as gaseous atoms in a mass spectrometer. The high energy of the electrons in the beam facilitates the ionization of the atoms by providing the necessary energy to overcome the ionization energy barrier. This interaction is essential for generating ions that can be analyzed in the mass spectrometer.