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Mass

Mass spectrometry involves ionizing molecules, separating the ions by their mass-to-charge ratio using electric or magnetic fields, and detecting the ions to produce a mass spectrum. A mass spectrometer performs three key functions: 1) ionizing a sample, usually to cations, 2) sorting the ions by mass and charge using a mass analyzer, and 3) detecting and counting the separated ions to display the results.

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Neha Gupta
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39 views

Mass

Mass spectrometry involves ionizing molecules, separating the ions by their mass-to-charge ratio using electric or magnetic fields, and detecting the ions to produce a mass spectrum. A mass spectrometer performs three key functions: 1) ionizing a sample, usually to cations, 2) sorting the ions by mass and charge using a mass analyzer, and 3) detecting and counting the separated ions to display the results.

Uploaded by

Neha Gupta
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mass spectrometry is the study of systems causing the formation of gaseous ions, with or

without fragmentation, which are then characterized by their mass to charge ratios (m/z)
and relative abundances.
In order to measure the characteristics of individual molecules, a mass spectrometer
converts them to ions so that they can be moved about and manipulated by external
electric and magnetic fields. The three essential functions of a mass spectrometer, and the
associated components, are:
1. A small sample of compound is ionized, usually to cations by loss of an electron. The
lon Source
2. The ions are sorted and separated according to their mass and charge. The Mass
Analyzer
3. The separated ions are then detected and tallied, and the results are displayed on a
chart.
IONIZING METHODS
1) Electron impact – high energy electrons about 70 EV.
2) Chemical ionization low energy

ELECTRON IMPACT

H + e H
H-C H + 2e CH4
H-C:H
H H
RADICAL CATION

H
H H
H-C
H H-C + + H
H
BOND-BREAKING CATION RADICAL

ONLY CATIONS ARE CARRIED TO DETECTOR

H
H-C + H+
H
MS of METHANE

Molecular ion

base peak

fragments

1 15 16
m/z

Typical Mass Spectrum

100%
43

58

50%
71
114

m/e
Separation of Ions
• Only the cations are deflected by the magnetic field.
• Amount of deflection depends on m/z.
• The detector signal is proportional to the number of ions hitting it.
• By varying the magnetic field, ions of all masses are collected and counted. =>

MASS SPECTROMETER

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