A beam of singly ionized carbon atoms (C-12, C-13, and C-14 isotopes) is injected into a mass spectrometer, which isotopes would follow the trajectory of greatest diameter and strike the detection plate furthest?

Question

I know the answer is C-14, but why? can someone explain it please :( i have an exam coming up and i dont understand the concept but i know it has to do with velocity selector also. is it because the mass spectrometer separates ions according to their mass to charge ratio, so since C-14 is heavier compared to C-12 and C-13 it would strike the detection plate furthest?

Answer 1

the curvature of the trajectory is related to the mass/charge ratio

the charges are equal ... C-14 has the greatest mass