Help! stuck on this questions about Germanium, Ge.?

1)the table below gives the relative abundance of each isotope in a mass spectrum of a sample of germanium , Ge.

m/z: 70 72 74
Reletice abundance (%): 24.4 32.4 43.2

i) Copy and complete the electron arrangment of a Ge atom.
1s^2

ii)Use the data above to calculate the relative atomic mass of this sample of Germanium. give answer to 1.d.p

iii) State what is adjusted in a mass spectrometer in order to direct ions with different m/z values onto the detector. Explain your answer.

thanks for the help guys x

joeyeehu...

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

1) Ge has 32 electrons.
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p2

2) RAM = { 70(24.4) + 72(32.4) + 74(43.2) } / 100 = 72.4

3) The strength of the magnetic field is adjusted in order to direct ions onto the detector.

The angle of deflection of ion is proportional to the charge and is inversely proportional to the mass of ion.

This means ion with small value of m/z (Ge-70)+ is easily deflected and is directed to the detector when the strength of the magnetic field is low. As the strength of the magnetic field is increased, the ion with higher m/z value will be directed on to the detector.