[ywc]

The question that I would like to ask is:
In a mass spectrometer, why ions of smaller charge ratio will be deflected more than that of ions of greater charge ratio? How can the charges of the ions affect the result?

may anyone explain this for me,,,thanks a lot..=]

[cliverlong]

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_spectrometer

Consider effects of mass(m), charge(Q) and magnetic field (B) separately

As B increases, the force on charged particle will increase.
As Q increases, the force on charged particle passing through B will increase

Increasing (normal/perpendicular) B will cause more force to be exerted on any and every charged particle passing through it hence causing a path with a smaller radius

Decreasing mass (m) will mean any constant (normal) B and hence constant force will result in a more curved / smaller radius path.

Increasing charge (Q) will mean any constant (normal) B will result in a larger force and hence a more curved / smaller radius path

Clive