Two separate photoelectron spectra are collected for an unknown gaseous element—one…

CHEMISTRY · Single correct · AP · Chemistry · Atomic Structure and Properties · Atomic Structure and Properties

Problem

Two separate photoelectron spectra are collected for an unknown gaseous element—one for the neutral atom and one for the corresponding

+2

cation. The neutral spectrum shows peaks with relative heights 2, 2, 6, 2, 6, 2 when ordered from highest to lowest binding energy. In the

+2

spectrum, the lowest-binding-energy peak is absent, while all other peak heights are unchanged. A mass-spectrometric analysis of the same sample reports a single isotopic mass of approximately

40\,\text{amu}

. Which isotope is most consistent with the combined data? (a)

^{40}\text{Ar}

(b)

^{40}\text{Ca}

(c)

^{40}\text{K}

(d)

^{40}\text{Ti}

Related theory

Subatomic Particles
Atomic Structure
Electronic Configuration

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