Question

A theoretical isotope can be multiple charged. At what positions in a mass spectrum would singly and doubly charged ions of this isotope appear? Assume that the singly charged isotope is listed first and the atomic weight of 40.

A. 40 and 60
B. 40 and 40
C. 40 and 20
D. 40 and 80

Answer 1

Singly charged ions of the theoretical isotope appear at the atomic weight position, while doubly charged ions appear at half the atomic weight position in a mass spectrum. option c is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a mass spectrum, singly and doubly charged ions of a theoretical isotope would appear at different positions based on their mass-to-charge ratios. The mass-to-charge ratio of a singly charged ion is equal to the atomic weight of the isotope. For example, if the atomic weight of the isotope is 40, the singly charged ion would appear at a position corresponding to a mass-to-charge ratio of 40.

On the other hand, the mass-to-charge ratio of a doubly charged ion is half of the atomic weight. So, in this case, the doubly charged ion would appear at a position corresponding to a mass-to-charge ratio of 20.