Mass Spectrometer
What is Mass Spectrometer?
A mass spectrometer is an analytical instrument that separates ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) after vaporizing and ionizing a sample. The technique involves ion generation (e.g., electron impact or electrospray), acceleration in an electric field, deflection by a magnetic field, and detection to produce a mass spectrum showing the relative abundance of each ion. Mass spectrometry is used to determine molecular masses, molecular formulas, isotopic abundances, and structural information about complex organic and inorganic compounds.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A mass spectrometer is an analytical instrument that separates ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) after vaporizing and ionizing a sample. The technique involves ion generation (e.g., electron impact or electrospray), acceleration in an electric field, deflection by a magnetic field, and detection to produce a mass spectrum showing the relative abundance of each ion. Mass spectrometry is used to determine molecular masses, molecular formulas, isotopic abundances, and structural information about complex organic and inorganic compounds.