Question

Which ion would undergo the greatest deflection in a mass spectrometer?

a. ¹⁶O⁺
b. ¹⁶O²⁺
c. ¹⁸O²⁺
d. (¹⁶O¹⁸O)⁺

Answer 1

Option (b) 16O2+ would undergo the greatest deflection in a mass spectrometer due to its having the lowest mass-to-charge ratio of the options provided.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ion that would undergo the greatest deflection in a mass spectrometer is the one with the smallest mass-to-charge ratio. Let's examine the options:

• (a) 16O+ has a charge of +1 and a mass of 16 units.
• (b) 16O2+ has a charge of +2 and a mass of 16 units.
• (c) 18O2+ has a charge of +2 and a mass of 18 units.
• (d) (16O18O)+ has a combined mass of 16 + 18 = 34 units and a charge of +1.

Since the deflection is inversely proportional to the mass-to-charge ratio, the ion with the smallest mass relative to its charge will be deflected the most. Comparing the options, 16O2+ (option b) has the smallest mass-to-charge ratio (16/2), so it will experience the greatest deflection in the mass spectrometer.