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VICChemistryQuick questions
Unit 1: How can the diversity of materials be explained?
Quick questions on Atoms, isotopes and mass spectrometry: VCE Chemistry Unit 1
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are isotopes?Show answer
Isotopes are atoms of the same element (same Z) with different mass numbers (different numbers of neutrons). Examples:
What is mass spectrometry?Show answer
A mass spectrometer separates ions by mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The simplified workflow:
What is q1?Show answer
State the difference between mass number and relative atomic mass, and explain why the relative atomic mass of chlorine is reported as rather than or . [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Bromine gives two peaks in its mass spectrum at m/z (relative height ) and m/z (relative height ). Calculate the relative atomic mass of bromine to two decimal places. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
A mass spectrum of magnesium shows peaks at m/z with relative heights . (a) Identify the species responsible for each peak. (b) Calculate Ar(Mg).
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