Mass Spectrometry Definition, Types, Examples & Uses

Mass Spectrometry

Subject: Chemistry

Book: General Chemistry

Mass spectrometry determines the mass-to-charge ratio of ionized molecules, allowing identification of compounds and elucidation of molecular structures. A typical mass spectrometer includes ionization (e.g., electron impact, ESI), mass analyzer (e.g., time-of-flight, quadrupole), and detector. Applications range from proteomics (identifying proteins) to environmental analysis and forensic science. Mass spectra often reveal molecular weight, fragmentation patterns, and isotopic distributions.