In the mass spectrum of a molecule, look for the main peak with the largest m/z value (ignoring the small M+1 peak caused by carbon-13). This is called the molecular ion peak and is the result of the whole molecule losing a single electron on collision with electrons.For example butane: C4H10 + e- → C4H10+ + 2 e-This will occur at m/z value = 58 which is the RMM value of butane.
The Molecular Ion Peak
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Specification: Edexcel Chemistry (8CH0), AS-level, Topic 7A: Mass spectrometry. Topic: Mass Spectrometry.
More in Mass Spectrometry
- Mass Spectrometry
- Other Peaks
- Fragmentation
- Mass Spectrum Example 1
- Mass Spectrum Example 2
- Mass Spectrum Example 3
- Mass Spectrum Example 4
- Mass Spectrum Example 5
All 9 lessons in Mass Spectrometry · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics