The mass spectrometer
 
 

Two workers were sent into a large tank to weld a plate onto the inside wall. They were found dead two hours later by a security guard. There was nothing suspicious as the guard reported he saw them happily welding the plate into position. The forensic experts decided to take a sample of the air inside the tank before they entered. They ran the sample of air through a mass spectrometer resulting in the spectrum below.
Using the evidence below try to explain what may have happened.
The mass spectrrum of the air inside the tank. Notice the irregular peaks of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases. Why do you think oxygen gas is very low?

Next problem to solve.

 

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