QUESTION IMAGE
Question
- the mass spectrum for elemental bromine is represented below. label each peak with the appropriate nuclide (isotope) symbols. note: not all elements exist as single atoms in nature.
Step1: Recall bromine isotopes
Bromine has two stable isotopes, $^{79}$Br and $^{81}$Br.
Step2: Consider bromine molecule
Bromine exists as $Br_2$ in nature. The possible combinations for $Br_2$ are $^{79}$Br$^{79}$Br (m/z = 158), $^{79}$Br$^{81}$Br (m/z = 160), and $^{81}$Br$^{81}$Br (m/z = 162). The lower - intensity peaks around m/z = 80 are likely due to $Br^+$ ions from dissociation of $Br_2$ during mass - spectrometry process.
Step3: Label the peaks
The peaks around m/z = 80 are $^{79}$Br$^+$ and $^{81}$Br$^+$. The peaks around m/z = 158, 160, 162 are $^{79}$Br$^{79}$Br, $^{79}$Br$^{81}$Br, $^{81}$Br$^{81}$Br respectively.
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The peaks around m/z = 80: $^{79}$Br$^+$, $^{81}$Br$^+$; The peaks around m/z = 158: $^{79}$Br$^{79}$Br; The peak around m/z = 160: $^{79}$Br$^{81}$Br; The peak around m/z = 162: $^{81}$Br$^{81}$Br