Learn: Atomic Structure

Welcome!Today we'll explore Atomic Structure, an essential topic in chemistry. We'll look at key concepts like atomic number, mass number, isotopes, and mass spectrometry.

What is Atomic Structure?Atoms are the building blocks of matter. They consist of three subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Understanding their structure helps explain chemical properties and behaviour.

Atomic and Proton NumberThe atomic number tells us the number of protons in an atom. The proton number is the same as the atomic number and determines the element's identity. For example, hydrogen has one proton, so its atomic number is 1.

Mass NumberThe mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. For example, carbon-12 has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, so its mass number is 12.

IsotopesIsotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. They have the same atomic number but different mass numbers. For example, carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon.

TOF Mass SpectrometryTime of Flight (TOF) mass spectrometry is a technique used to identify the mass and abundance of particles. It involves ionisation, acceleration, deflection, and detection.

Stages of TOF Mass Spectrometry1. Ionisation: Atoms are ionised, usually by removing an electron.2. Acceleration: Ions are accelerated by an electric field.3. Deflection: Ions are deflected based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z).4. Detection: Ions hit a detector, creating a signal proportional to their abundance.

Mass Spectra InterpretationA mass spectrum shows peaks that represent the abundance of ions and their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The height of each peak shows how much of that ion is present, and its position indicates the m/z value.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about atomic number, mass number, isotopes, and mass spectrometry. Now let's test your understanding with a few questions.