---
title: "A student investigates the isotopic composition of a purified sample of neon gas using a mass spectrometer. In the instrument, neutral neon atoms are ionized to form singly charged cations, \\(^{20}\\text{Ne}^+\\) and \\(^{22}\\text{Ne}^+\\), accelerated through an electric field, and then directed into a magnetic deflection chamber. Which of the following correctly identifies the ion that undergoes greater deflection in the magnetic field and provides the correct justification?"
description: "## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please […]"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120155/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T16:02:38+00:00"
---

# A student investigates the isotopic composition of a purified sample of neon gas using a mass spectrometer. In the instrument, neutral neon atoms are ionized to form singly charged cations, \(^{20}\text{Ne}^+\) and \(^{22}\text{Ne}^+\), accelerated through an electric field, and then directed into a magnetic deflection chamber. Which of the following correctly identifies the ion that undergoes greater deflection in the magnetic field and provides the correct justification?

A student investigates the isotopic composition of a purified sample of neon gas using a mass spectrometer. In the instrument, neutral neon atoms are ionized to form singly charged cations, \(^{20}\text{Ne}^+\) and \(^{22}\text{Ne}^+\), accelerated through an electric field, and then directed into a magnetic deflection chamber. Which of the following correctly identifies the ion that undergoes greater deflection in the magnetic field and provides the correct justification?

- **A.** \(^{22}\text{Ne}^+\), because its greater mass causes it to experience a larger magnetic force in the chamber.
- **B.** \(^{20}\text{Ne}^+\), because its smaller mass-to-charge ratio gives it less inertia, resulting in greater path curvature.
- **C.** \(^{20}\text{Ne}^+\), because its higher charge density allows it to interact more strongly with the applied magnetic field.
- **D.** \(^{22}\text{Ne}^+\), because the presence of additional neutrons increases the net positive charge of the ion.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120155/*