---
title: "A mass spectrometer is used to analyze an unknown elemental vapor composed of diatomic molecules, \\(\\text{X}_2\\). All detected ions have a charge of \\(+1\\). The peaks near \\(m/z=80\\) result from \\(\\text{X}^+\\) fragments, whereas the peaks near \\(m/z=160\\) result from intact \\(\\text{X}_2^+\\) molecular ions.  Which particulate representation is consistent with the relative abundances of the three molecular ions shown in the spectrum?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119482/"
date_modified: "2026-08-19T12:40:38+00:00"
---

# A mass spectrometer is used to analyze an unknown elemental vapor composed of diatomic molecules, \(\text{X}_2\). All detected ions have a charge of \(+1\). The peaks near \(m/z=80\) result from \(\text{X}^+\) fragments, whereas the peaks near \(m/z=160\) result from intact \(\text{X}_2^+\) molecular ions.

Which particulate representation is consistent with the relative abundances of the three molecular ions shown in the spectrum?

A mass spectrometer is used to analyze an unknown elemental vapor composed of diatomic molecules, \(\text{X}_2\). All detected ions have a charge of \(+1\). The peaks near \(m/z=80\) result from \(\text{X}^+\) fragments, whereas the peaks near \(m/z=160\) result from intact \(\text{X}_2^+\) molecular ions.

Which particulate representation is consistent with the relative abundances of the three molecular ions shown in the spectrum?

![Draw a grayscale stick mass spectrum on a white background. The horizontal axis is labeled “m/z” and extends from 70 to 170, with a clear axis break between 90 and 150. Mark only 79, 81, 158, 160, and 162 on the horizontal axis. The vertical axis is labeled “Relative intensity” and ranges from 0 to 100, with light horizontal gridlines at 50 and 100. Draw thin solid vertical peaks at the five marked positions. The peaks at 79 and 81 each reach 100. The peaks at 158 and 162 each reach 50, and the peak at 160 reaches 100. Place the text “fragment ions” above the two low-mass peaks and “molecular ions” above the three high-mass peaks. No other peaks, labels, text, or annotations appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787143236-2HeLnm.jpg)

- **A.** Diagram A
- **B.** Diagram B
- **C.** Diagram C
- **D.** Diagram D

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119482/*