Mass spectrometry (MS)

Definition

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used in organic chemistry to determine the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It helps identify the composition of a sample by generating ions and measuring their mass and charge.

Related terms

Ionization:

The process of converting atoms or molecules into ions, typically by adding or removing electrons.

Mass: to-charge ratio (m/z) - A value representing the mass of an ion divided by its charge number, crucial for identifying and characterizing ions in mass spectrometry.

Magnetic: sector instruments - A type of mass spectrometer that uses a magnetic field to separate ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio