When drawing the path of two ions in a mass spectrometer of different m/z values, would the heavier ion still reach the detector (but take a longer, different path) or not reach it at all?
For example: http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa/qp-ms/AQA-CHM1-W-QP-JAN09.PDF

In question 1)b)i) It asks you to draw on the path of the 88Sr+ ion, would you draw the path as reaching the detection slits?

Question

When drawing the path of two ions in a mass spectrometer of different m/z values, would the heavier ion still reach the detector (but take a longer, different path) or not reach it at all?
For example: http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa/qp-ms/AQA-CHM1-W-QP-JAN09.PDF

In question 1)b)i) It asks you to draw on the path of the 88Sr+ ion, would you draw the path as reaching the detection slits?

anonymous · Answer

The mark scheme ( http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa/qp-ms/AQA-CHM1-W-MS-JAN09.PDF ) says that the path must go through the slits, but I'm not sure whether this means the slits in the acceleration plates or the slits on the detector? Thanks!