There are two stable isotopes of Bromine, Br-79, Br-81. If a sample of Br2 is fed into a mass spectrometer, how many peaks would be observed in the spectrum?

There should be five peaks. In the process of bombarding the Br2 molecule with electrons to charge it, the molecule can fragment into 2 Br atoms. We should therefore expect to see peaks at 79 and 81 m/z. Then we should observe three more peaks from Br2 molecules consisting of the three distinct combinations of the Br isotopes that could be present in the molecule; a peak at 158 m/z where both atoms are Br-79, one at 160 m/z with one atom of each isotope and a last one at 162 m/z with both atoms the Br-81 isotope.

TH
Answered by Tim H. Chemistry tutor

12717 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are the stereochemical implications of bimolecular and unimolecular nucleophilic substitution?


Explain why Scandium is not considered a true transition metal.


State and explain the trend in atomic radius down a group of the periodic table


Explain how pH changes can be minimised using a mixture of a weak acid and it's conjugate base


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning