New type of mass spectrometer

[Masafi]

Hi I've attached the circuit as a word document, along with the question. I was not sure about the answers given, which I have copied below:

Between plates field is uniform
Acceleration is constant
Energy gained = 2000e where does 2000 come from, isn't it 4?
All ions have same F or same energy
From hole to detector is zero field/force
Ion travels at constant speed
g negligible - why?
time proportional to 1 /velocity how?
time proportional to 1 /mass how?
in a vacuum there are no collisions or friction forces

 

[jbsteele]

so it's a good assumptionAnswer 1: Between plates, the electric field is uniform. This means that all ions will experience the same force and acceleration, resulting in the same energy being gained by each ion.Answer 2: The energy gained by each ion is equal to 4e, where e is the elementary charge.Answer 3: From the hole to the detector, there is no electric field or force acting on the ion, so the ion maintains a constant speed.Answer 4: The force of gravity is negligible, since the acceleration due to gravity is much smaller than the electric field acceleration.Answer 5: The time it takes for the ion to travel from the hole to the detector is proportional to 1/velocity, since faster ions will take less time to traverse the distance.Answer 6: The time it takes for the ion to travel from the hole to the detector is also proportional to 1/mass, since lighter ions will take less time to traverse the same distance.Answer 7: Since the circuit is in a vacuum, there are no collisions or friction forces, making it a good assumption that the ions will maintain a constant speed throughout the entire trajectory.

 

[kerimek]

Thank you for sharing the circuit and question with me. I appreciate your interest in this new type of mass spectrometer. I can provide some clarification and additional information about the answers given.

Firstly, the 2000 in the equation for energy gained refers to the voltage applied between the plates in the mass spectrometer. This voltage is typically in the range of 1000-5000 volts, so 2000 is just an example value used in the equation.

The statement that all ions have the same F (force) or energy is correct. This is because in a mass spectrometer, ions are separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio, and all ions with the same mass-to-charge ratio will have the same energy when they reach the detector.

The statement about a zero field/force between the hole and detector is also correct. This is because the ions are no longer under the influence of the electric field once they pass through the hole and enter the detector.

The statement about negligible gravity (g) is also correct. In a mass spectrometer, the ions are accelerated by an electric field, and the effect of gravity on these ions is usually negligible compared to the electric force.

The statement about time being proportional to 1/velocity means that the time it takes for an ion to reach the detector is inversely proportional to its velocity. This is because the ions with higher velocity will travel faster and reach the detector in a shorter amount of time.

Similarly, the statement about time being proportional to 1/mass means that the time it takes for an ion to reach the detector is inversely proportional to its mass. This is because the ions with higher mass will have a lower velocity and therefore take longer to reach the detector.

Lastly, the statement about there being no collisions or friction forces in a vacuum is correct. In a vacuum, there is no air or other particles to collide with the ions and slow them down, allowing them to travel at a constant speed.

I hope this helps clarify any confusion and provides a better understanding of this new type of mass spectrometer. Let me know if you have any further questions or would like to discuss this topic further.