Question

Use the mass spectrum of rubidium to determine the atomic mass of rubidium.

Answer 1

The atomic mass of rubidium can be determined using the mass spectrum of rubidium obtained from a mass spectrometer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The atomic mass of rubidium can be determined using the mass spectrum of rubidium obtained from a mass spectrometer. In a mass spectrometer, a sample of rubidium is vaporized and exposed to high-energy electrons, causing the rubidium atoms to become charged ions. These ions are then accelerated into a magnetic field, and the extent to which they are deflected depends on their mass-to-charge ratios. By measuring the relative deflections of the ions and analyzing the mass spectrum, chemists can determine the mass of rubidium.

Answer 2

The mass spectrum is a visual graph that shows a Intensity vs Mass plot, like that shown in the picture. This is an actual mass spectrometer diagram for Rubidium. The mass of the isotopes of the Rb element is along the x-axis, while the y-axis is the relative abundance. The atomic mass is determined to be:

∑(Mass×Intensity) = 85(1-0.38) + 87(0.38) = 85.76 amu