Mass spectrometry

Definition

Mass spectrometry is a technique used to determine the mass and abundance of isotopes in a sample. It involves ionizing the sample, separating the ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio, and detecting them to create a mass spectrum.

Related terms

Isotope:

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.

Mass spectrum: A graph showing the distribution of ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio.

Abundance: The relative amount or proportion of an isotope compared to others in a sample.