Chapter 16, Problem 16.73P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

A compound containing only carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen contains four carbon atoms. If the ${\text{M}}^{\text{+}}$ peak in its mass spectrum appears at $\text{m/z = 87}$, the number of nitrogen atoms is to be calculated.

Concept introduction:

The ${\text{M}}^{\text{+}}$ peak of a mass spectrum is taken to be the compound’s molecular mass. The molecular mass equals the sum of the masses of its individual atoms.