Chemistry A-Level
peak patterns
What peak patterns means in Chemistry A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of peak patterns
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain peak patterns in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
Every element produces a characteristic pattern of peaks, so a mass spectrum acts as a fingerprint.
Topics that use peak patterns
- Mass number and isotopes (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- abundance ratios
- acceleration to constant kinetic energy
- atomic number
- base peak
- carbon-13 satellite
- charge and electron number
- detection and current
- flight time and mass
Using peak patterns in the exam
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