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Mass To Charge Ratio Formula:
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The mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) is a physical quantity used in mass spectrometry that represents the ratio of the mass of a particle to its electric charge. For water molecules, this ratio is particularly important in various analytical chemistry applications.
The calculator uses the mass to charge ratio formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio between the mass of a water molecule and its electrical charge, which is fundamental in mass spectrometry analysis.
Details: Mass-to-charge ratio is crucial in mass spectrometry for identifying and characterizing chemical compounds, particularly in analyzing water samples for contaminants, isotopic composition, and molecular structure.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and charge in coulombs. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the typical mass-to-charge ratio for water molecules?
A: For singly charged water molecules (H₂O⁺), the m/z ratio is approximately 18.015/1 = 18.015, where 18.015 is the molecular mass in atomic mass units.
Q2: Why is mass-to-charge ratio important in mass spectrometry?
A: It helps identify molecules based on their mass and charge characteristics, enabling precise chemical analysis and compound identification.
Q3: How does charge affect the mass-to-charge ratio?
A: Higher charge states result in lower m/z values for the same mass, which can be useful for analyzing larger molecules in mass spectrometry.
Q4: Can this calculator be used for ions other than water?
A: Yes, the fundamental formula m/z = m/z applies to all charged particles, though the specific values will vary depending on the molecule.
Q5: What are common units for mass-to-charge ratio?
A: While atomic mass units per elementary charge (u/e) are common in mass spectrometry, this calculator uses kg/C for consistency with SI units.