Weighing Molecules

Mass spectrometry

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Mass spec sorts ions by m/z; M⁺ gives the molar mass.
• One Cl: M : M+2 = 3 : 1. One Br: 1 : 1. Two Br: 1 : 2 : 1.
• Fragments reveal pieces of the structure.

Steps

1. Fly and sort
2. A race down a tube
3. One halogen
4. A harder cluster
5. Losing a methyl
6. Two of something