You observe a compound that exhibits a mass spectrum with peak at 160 and a peak at 162,both of equal intensity.This compound contains
A)two chlorine atoms.
B)one iodine atom.
C)one bromine atom.
D)two bromine atoms.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The compound must have two isotopes with a difference of two mass units, which indicates the presence of a chlorine and a bromine atom or a bromine and an iodine atom. However, option A and B can be ruled out since chlorine isotopes would give a peak at 158 and 160, and iodine isotopes would give a peak at 127 and 129. Therefore, the only option remaining is C, which corresponds to a compound containing one bromine atom (79Br) and one chlorine atom (35Cl), giving rise to peaks at 160 and 162 in the mass spectrum.

You Observe a Compound That Exhibits a Mass Spectrum with Peak