What is Spectrometer: Definition and 173 Discussions

A spectrometer () is a scientific instrument used to separate and measure spectral components of a physical phenomenon. Spectrometer is a broad term often used to describe instruments that measure a continuous variable of a phenomenon where the spectral components are somehow mixed. In visible light a spectrometer can separate white light and measure individual narrow bands of color, called a spectrum. A mass spectrometer measures the spectrum of the masses of the atoms or molecules present in a gas. The first spectrometers were used to split light into an array of separate colors. Spectrometers were developed in early studies of physics, astronomy, and chemistry. The capability of spectroscopy to determine chemical composition drove its advancement and continues to be one of its primary uses. Spectrometers are used in astronomy to analyze the chemical composition of stars and planets, and spectrometers gather data on the origin of the universe.
Examples of spectrometers are devices that separate particles, atoms, and molecules by their mass, momentum, or energy. These types of spectrometers are used in chemical analysis and particle physics.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. V

    Using Spectrometer to measure soil nutrient solutions

    Hi Guys, Sorry for dumping this thread in here, I really wouldn't know where this would fit... I'm a farmer in Australia and I'm trying out these really simple devices to measure nutrient levels in my soil, they're basically a ceramic container with a small hose that gets buried into the...
  2. T

    Spectrometer vernier scale. Quick answer

    Spectrometer vernier scale. Quick answer please! This is a quick question. I am measuring the emission spectra for hydrogen, but now I'm finding myself wondering about measurements in the vernier scale. I have the right and left angle measurements; however they differ by more than 180 degrees...
  3. M

    How Does a Mass Spectrometer Calculate the Path of Protein Fragments?

    Homework Statement A mass spectrometer is designed to separate protein fragments. The fragments are ionized by removing a single electron and then enter a 0.80 T uniform magnetic field at a speed of 2.3*10^5 m/s If a fragment has a mass that is 85 times the mass of the proton, what will be...
  4. W

    How can the charge of an ion be determined using the equation F = qv x B?

    Homework Statement The problem can be found here; http://www.physics.uprm.edu/~mark/courses/FISI3172_I2007/PracticeExamIII.pdf Homework Equations Ok, ok. I made some reaserch, and I found that the; radius of an ion orbit on a mass spectrometer = mv / qB where m = mass, v =...
  5. P

    Predicting Spectral Lines: Formula for All Elements

    Okay. I have made a reasonably accurate spectrometer. Is there a formula that can predict the lines for a given element with a given atomic number. I have done research. The best that I found, is the formula for 'hydrogen-like' elements. So is there a formula to predict all spectral lines of any...
  6. T

    What is the radius of a charged ion in a magnetic field?

    Homework Statement A singly charged positive ion has a mass of 2.50 x 10^-26kg. After being accelerated through a potential difference of 250 V, the ion enters a magnetic field of 0.500 T, in a direction perpendicular to the field. Homework Equations Calculate the radius of the path of...
  7. T

    Mass Spectrometer Questions

    Homework Statement Consider the mass spectrometer shown schematically in Figure 19.30 (don't have a scanner so I can't put the picture). The electric field between the plates of the velocity selector is 950 V/m, and the magnetic fields in both the velocity selector and the defelection chamber...
  8. B

    Radius of the path of a charged particle in a mass spectrometer

    Homework Statement Consider the mass spectrometer shown schematically in Figure P19.30. The electric field between the plates of the velocity selector is 850 V/m, and the magnetic fields in both the velocity selector and the deflection chamber have magnitudes of 0.910 T. Calculate the radius...
  9. C

    Magnetic Forces and Magnetic Fields (mass spectrometer)

    Homework Statement Two isotopes of carbon, carbon-12 and carbon-13, have masses of 19.93x10^-27 kg and 21.59x10^-27 kg, respectively. These two isotopes are singly ionized (+e) and each is given a speed of 6.667x10^5 m/s. The ions then enter the bending region of a mass spectrometer where the...
  10. L

    Designing and building a mass spectrometer.

    I am a double major in EE and physics and I was thinking that a great senior project would be to design and build my own mass spectrometer. I would not only like to build the basic device, but also calibrate the device so that it provides the m/q value based on the radius of curvature caused by...
  11. L

    Build my own mass spectrometer?

    I am a double major in EE and physics and I was thinking that a great senior project would be to design and build my own mass spectrometer. I would not only like to build the basic device, but also calibrate the device so that it provides the m/q value based on the radius of curvature caused by...
  12. L

    Optical spectrometer experiment

    Hi, I need to do an experiment to calculate Planck's constant from LEDs. Basically what I'm intending to do is a fairly simple variable dc supply->voltmeter->LED->spectrometer->diffraction grating->my eye type setup. I know how to do that, but the trouble is I'll need to track down a...
  13. A

    Looking for a Spectrometer? Check Out Our Reviews!

    I'm designing my lab and so I want a spectrometer to investigate reaction kinetics eh. I am looking for a data logging spectrometer that can keep the reaction at constant temperature. My teacher is probably going to buy it. Does anyone know what company makes good spectrometers? About a...
  14. B

    Determining the Mass of a Selenium Ion in a Bainbridge Mass Spectrometer

    The electric field between the plates of the velocity selector in a Bainbridege mass spectrometer is 20 V/m, and the magnectic field in both regions is 10 T(out and inside the spectrometer). A stream of singly charged selenium ions moves in a circular path with a radius of 1 m in the magnectic...
  15. K

    Mass Spectrometer: Unusual Concepts Explored

    hey im looking for a conceptual question regarding the mass spectrometer, any concepts that are not usually mentioned in textbooks thanks !
  16. 1

    What is the RAM of carbon in a sample based on data from a mass spectrum?

    [FONT="Comic Sans MS"]1.Some data obtained from the mass spectrum of a sample of carbon are given below. Ion 12C+ 13C+ Absolute mass of one ion/g 1.993 x 10-23 2.158 x 10-23 Relative abundance/ % 98.9 1.1 Use the data...
  17. J

    Mass Spectrometer and Electric Field Problem

    Hi, My Question: Suppose the electic field between the two electric plates in the mass spectrometer is 2.48 x 10^4 V/m and the magnetic fields B=B'=0.68 T. The source contains carbon isotopes of mass number 12,13,14 from a long dead piece of tree(To estimate atomic masses multiply by...
  18. Astronuc

    Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Experiment

    In the Plenary Session #1 of the Space Nuclear Conference 2005, Samuel C. C. Ting gave a presentation on the AMS-02, the second "Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer." The first, AMS-01, flew aboard the Space Shuttle during Mission STS-91. The AMS homepage is -...
  19. S

    Solving Mass Spectrometer Question: 24Mg & 25Mg Isotopes

    Hey Everyone, I just got to my last homework question, and well I got a bit stuck. An ion source contains two isotopes of magnesium ( 24Mg, 25Mg). These ions travels undeflected through the velocity selector (B=0.850T, [E]=4.60x10^5V/m) of a mass spectrometer. If both isotopes are singly...
  20. Link

    Measuring Io's Velocity Spectra: The Importance of Spectrometer Sensitivity

    Can someone estimate how sensitive a spectrometer has to be in order to measure the velocity spectra of Io through a 0.7m focal length refractor telescope (radius 70mm) of during optimal conditions? :smile:
  21. 1

    Mass spectrometer radius of the path

    Suppose that an ion source in a mass spectrometer produces doubly ionized gold ions (Au2+), each with a mass of 3.27 x 10^-25 kg. The ions are accelerated from rest through a potential difference of 1.40 kV. Then, a 0.600 T magnetic field causes the ions to follow a circular path. Determine the...
  22. C

    Solving Ionic Compound Analysis and Relative Atomic Mass with Mass Spectrometer

    Here are two chem questions that I can't figure them out...please give me some hints on solving them 1.) Ionic compounds( not simple molecular) can also be analyzed by mass spectrometer. Syggest how the sample can be vaporized. It can't be heating I think. 2.) Elements X and Y form a...
  23. M

    What is the charge of the particle being accelerated in a mass spectrometer?

    Given: A proton is accelerated up to KE before it exits into a magnetic field and is deflected. Question: What voltage battery is required accelerate the proton to that energy? So I use U = qV the question is.. what is Q.. is q the charge of the proton being accelerated through the...
Back
Top