GRE Subject Test: Chemistry : Mass Spectroscopy

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, And Metabolism

Determining the molecular ion peak (parent peak) in mass spectroscopy allows you to determine what characteristic of a mystery molecule?

Possible Answers:

Molecular charge

Nuclear charge

Functional groups

Molecular weight

Correct answer:

Molecular weight

Explanation:

The molecular ion peak is determined using mass spectrometry. The parent peak is formed when a mystery molecule does not fragment, and simply loses an electron. This means that the mass to charge ratio of this peak will allow us to determine the molecular weight of the compound.

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