Final answer:
The molecular mass of a covalent compound is obtained from its mass spectrum. Mass spectrometers determine the relative mass-to-charge ratios of ions generated from the compound. The molecular mass can be calculated by summing the masses of the ions present in the mass spectrum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecular mass of a covalent compound can be obtained from its mass spectrum. In a mass spectrometer, the compound is ionized and the ions are then accelerated into a magnetic field. The extent to which the ions are deflected by the magnetic field depends on their relative mass-to-charge ratios. By measuring the relative deflections of the ions, the mass-to-charge ratios and thus the masses of the ions can be determined.
Each peak in the mass spectrum corresponds to an ion with a particular mass-to-charge ratio. The abundance of the different ions can be determined from the heights of the peaks. The molecular mass of the compound can be calculated by summing the masses of the ions present in the spectrum.