Propan-1-ol and ethanoic acid both have a relative formula mass of 60.
A student records the mass spectrum of an unknown sample. The table shows the main peaks for the sample and reference data for the two compounds.
| Substance | Mass-to-charge ratios of main peaks |
|---|---|
| Propan-1-ol | 29, 31, 42, 59, 60 |
| Ethanoic acid | 15, 43, 45, 60 |
| Sample | 15, 43, 45, 60 |
Which statement is correct?
The sample is propan-1-ol, because its highest peak is at 60.
The sample is ethanoic acid, because all its peaks match the data.
The sample cannot be identified, as both compounds have a peak at 60.
The sample is a mixture of both, as both spectra have a peak at 60.
52 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Chemistry 4.2 Identifying the products of chemical reactions, covering 4.2.1 Tests to identify gases, 4.2.2 Tests for aqueous ions and flame tests, and 4.2.3 Instrumental methods of analysis. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.