Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Mass spectroscopy is an analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles. It is used to identify the amount and type of chemicals present in a sample.
An isotope is a variant of a particular chemical element, which differs in neutron number.
Ionization: Ionization refers to any process by which electrically neutral atoms or molecules are converted to electrically charged atoms or molecules (ions).
Mass-to-Charge Ratio: This term refers to the physical quantity that is most directly accessible in mass spectrometry. It represents the strength of interaction between an ion and an electromagnetic field.