MASS SPECTROMETER Meaning and
Definition
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A mass spectrometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the masses and relative abundances of individual atoms, molecules, or compounds present in a given sample. It operates based on the principles of mass spectrometry, a technique widely used in chemistry, physics, biology, and other scientific disciplines.
The main components of a mass spectrometer include a sample introduction system, an ionization source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. The process begins by introducing a sample into the instrument, either as a gas, liquid, or solid. The sample is then ionized, meaning atoms or molecules are converted into charged particles called ions. This is typically done using methods such as electron impact ionization, electrospray ionization, or laser ablation.
Once ionized, the ions are accelerated into the mass analyzer, which separates them based on their mass-to-charge ratios (m/z). This is achieved by applying electric and/or magnetic fields to the ions, causing them to follow different trajectories depending on their masses. The separated ions are then detected by a suitable detector, generating a signal that is used to determine their masses and relative abundances.
Mass spectrometers have a wide range of applications. They are used for analyzing and identifying unknown compounds in fields such as forensic science and environmental analysis. They are also indispensable in proteomics, where they are used to analyze and characterize proteins. Additionally, mass spectrometers are utilized in isotope ratio analysis, drug discovery, and metabolomics, among many other areas of research.
Common Misspellings for MASS SPECTROMETER
- nass spectrometer
- kass spectrometer
- jass spectrometer
- mzss spectrometer
- msss spectrometer
- mwss spectrometer
- mqss spectrometer
- maas spectrometer
- mazs spectrometer
- maxs spectrometer
- mads spectrometer
- maes spectrometer
- maws spectrometer
- masa spectrometer
- masz spectrometer
- masx spectrometer
- masd spectrometer
- mase spectrometer
- masw spectrometer
Etymology of MASS SPECTROMETER
The word "mass spectrometer" is derived from two main components: "mass" and "spectrometer".
The term "mass" originated from the Latin word "massa", which means a lump or mass. It was used in early scientific contexts to refer to a quantity of matter (often measured in grams) or the property of having inertia. This term was later adopted in physics and chemistry to describe the measurement of the mass of atoms and molecules.
The second part, "spectrometer", comes from the Latin word "spectro", which means "to look at" or "to observe". In science, a spectrometer is an instrument used to analyze or measure the properties of light emitted, absorbed, or scattered by a substance. Spectrometry is the technique of using a spectrometer to measure various properties such as light intensity, wavelength, or frequency.
Similar spelling words for MASS SPECTROMETER
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