Chapter 22, Problem 22.AE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The width at half-height of the given peak has to be measured, the resolving power has to be calculated, and expect to be able to resolve two peaks at 100 and 101Da has to be explained.

Concept and introduction:

Resolving power:

• Resolving power is used to separate two peaks with similar mass of the mass spectrometer.
• Resolving power can be represented by the formula is

$\text{Resolving power = }\frac{\text{m}}{\text{Δm}}\text{or }\frac{\text{m}}{{\text{m}}_{\text{1/2}}}$

• Where, the value of m is smaller than the value of $\raisebox{1ex}{$\text{m}$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$\text{z}$}\right.$

Explanation of Solution

The width which is present at half-height is $\text{0}\text{.60}\raisebox{1ex}{$\text{m}$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$\text{z}$}\right.$

The given peak at $\text{m/z }\text{= }\text{53}$

Now, let’s calculate the resolving power by using the above said formula,

$\text{Resolving power = }\frac{\text{53}}{0.60}=88$

$\text{Resolving power}=88$

We are able to barely distinguish 2 peaks differing by 1 Da at a mass of $\text{88Da}$ but not able to distinguish 2 peaks at $\text{100Da}\text{and }\text{101Da}\text{.}$