SSCE VCE Chemistry Quantifying Atoms and Compounds: The molecules ethanol and nitrog

Question

The molecules ethanol and nitrogen dioxide have the same molar mass (M = 46 g mol^-1). They can be easily distinguished by mass spectrometry.

The mass spectra of the two molecules are shown below.

**Spectrum A**

(mass spectrum)

**Spectrum B**

(mass spectrum)

a. Write an equation showing how either an ethanol molecule or a nitrogen dioxide molecule becomes ionised in the mass spectrometer.

b. Which mass spectrum cannot be that of nitrogen dioxide? What evidence does the mass spectrum provide to support your answer?

c. What is the formula of the species that produces the peak seen at m/z 30 in spectrum B?

The molecules ethanol and nitrogen dioxide have the same molar mass (M = 46 g mol^-1) - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2010 - Paper 1