How does a mass spectrometer separate isotopes?

10/18/99

	Vocabulary
	element isotope isotopic abundance mass spectrometer

This schematic mass spectrometer separates isotopes (atoms of the same element with different masses). It is similar to a prototype spectrometer built by F. W. Aston in 1911. Modern mass spectrometers are more complex, but they still operate on the same general principles as Aston's instruments.

The separation is based on the fact that magnetic fields bend the trajectories of light ions more than heavy ones of equal charge. Point to different parts of the instrument to learn more about the separation process.

Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu

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