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Lesson Plan: Lesson: The Mass Spectrometer

The document outlines a lesson plan about using a mass spectrometer. It explains the learning outcomes which are to understand how a mass spectrometer separates atoms and determines relative mass. It also lists the prior knowledge required and principles of mass spectrometers. The lesson activities are described which use simulations and investigating mass spectra to understand isotopes.

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MarcTnn
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
323 views

Lesson Plan: Lesson: The Mass Spectrometer

The document outlines a lesson plan about using a mass spectrometer. It explains the learning outcomes which are to understand how a mass spectrometer separates atoms and determines relative mass. It also lists the prior knowledge required and principles of mass spectrometers. The lesson activities are described which use simulations and investigating mass spectra to understand isotopes.

Uploaded by

MarcTnn
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson Plan

Lesson: The Mass Spectrometer

Aim: To investigate the operating principles of a simple mass spectrometer

Learning Outcomes :

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to :


1. explain how a simple mass spectrometer is used to separate atoms and determine their relative
masses.
2. detect the presence of isotopes and determine the relative isotopic mass from the mass spectrum of
an element.

(Note : Function of the mass spectrometer is not mentioned in the syllabus but it is good for students to
understand the formation of the mass spectrum.)

Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already :


1. be familiar with sub-atomic particles (p+, e-, n); their relative masses and charges.
2. know the definition of ‘Relative Atomic Mass’, Ar based on 12C.
3. be familiar with the effect of magnetic and electric fields on moving charged particles.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.


2. Enabling the students to witness experiments that they cannot conduct themselves.

Time taken to complete the activities : 40 minutes

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity. The pop-up
answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their responses. Worksheet
questions include questions that require recall, understanding and application of the new concepts
learned.

© 2003 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. 1


Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources


1 Set Induction. • Teacher quizzes students to ensure that
(Ascertaining prior they have the assumed prior knowledge.
knowledge and
introducing lesson • Teacher to invite suggestions from
topic for the day). students on how they think masses of
atoms are compared with that of C-12.

• Teacher to introduce concept of using a


mass spectrometer for comparison of
masses of atoms and molecules.

2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 & 2 • Courseware


with the students.

• Activity 1 : A Simple Mass


Spectrometer

Use the simulated mass spectrometer to


point out the main processes involved in a
simple mass spectrometer and to explain
the following processes :
(a) how the atoms are ionized.
(b) how the ions formed are accelerated
using an electric field and then,
deflected into a detector using a
magnetic field .
(c) how ions of different masses are
separated by varying the strength of
the magnetic field
(d) how the relative amounts and relative
masses of atoms are determined
from the mass spectrum produced.)

• Activity 2 : Mass Spectra

To get students to investigate the mass


spectrum of aluminium and that of copper
and learn how to detect the presence of
isotopes from the number of peaks
present.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet


student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to go through the extension • Websites


activities on their own. • Reference
books

© 2003 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. 2


Worksheet Answers

1. A Simple Mass Spectrometer

1.1 a. Nucleon number – the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

b. Relative Atomic Mass :


The mass of an atom on a scale where the mass of an atom of 12C is exactly 12. If an element
consists of more than one naturally occurring isotopes, then a weighted average mass is used,
taking into account the relative abundance of isotopes of the element.
Relative Atomic Mass = Mass of one atom of an element
1/12 the mass of one atom of 12C

c. Isotopes :
Atoms of the same element that have different nucleon number.

1.2 Ions of the sample in the mass spectrometer may collide with air molecules and be deflected from
their path to the detector. Air molecules themselves may become ionised and reach the detector,
giving unwanted mass readings.

1.3 The metal filament (cathode) is heated to a high temperature. This gives the mobile
electrons in the metal the extra kinetic energy to enable them to escape from the
metal surface.

1.4 A - vaporised
B - heated
C - electrons
D - electrons
E - positively
F - electric
G - magnetic
H - magnetic
I - mass-to-charge
J - detector
K - lowest
L - number
M - mass spectrum

2. Mass Spectra

2.1 a. There are four isotopes of lead ; 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb and 208Pb present in the sample.
b. 208Pb exists in greater abundance in the sample of lead.
20
2.2 a. Ne+, 21Ne+, 22Ne+
20
b. Ne+ = 20 – 10 = 10
21
Ne+ = 21 – 10 = 11
22
Ne+ = 22 – 10 = 12

© 2003 Ministry Of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. 3

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