Mass spectrometry works by ionizing a sample and separating its components based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This is achieved by passing the sample through a mass analyzer that uses electric and magnetic fields to deflect the ions. The resulting spectrum shows the relative abundance of each ion, which can be used to determine the composition of the sample.
The principle behind mass spectrometry is based on the fact that ions with different masses will have different velocities in a given electric and magnetic field. This allows for the separation and identification of different components in a sample based on their mass-to-charge ratio.
The velocity of ions is measured in mass spectrometry through the use of a detector, which records the time it takes for the ions to reach it after being deflected by the mass analyzer. This time is then used to calculate the velocity of the ions based on the distance between the analyzer and the detector.
In mass spectrometry, ions with different masses are given the same velocity because they are all subjected to the same electric and magnetic fields. This allows for the separation of ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio, as the lighter ions will be deflected more than the heavier ones.
Mass spectrometry has a wide range of applications in various fields, including chemistry, biology, forensics, and environmental science. It is commonly used for the identification and quantification of molecules in a sample, as well as for analyzing the structure and composition of complex molecules.