What information does mass spectroscopy provide regarding particles?

Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique primarily used to determine the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It provides detailed information about the masses of different particles—typically molecules or ions—present in a sample. This is achieved by ionizing the sample and then measuring the resulting ions based on their mass and charge.

The process begins with ionization, where the sample is converted into ions. These ions are then subjected to an electromagnetic field, which allows the mass spectrometer to separate them based on their mass-to-charge ratios. The output is usually visualized as a mass spectrum, which displays the relative abundance of each ion at specific mass-to-charge ratios.

In essence, the technique can provide insights into the molecular weight of compounds, which is critical for the identification and quantification of substances in a sample. It does not measure temperature, speed, or color, which are unrelated to the specific properties that mass spectrometry is designed to analyze. Thus, the correct choice is that mass spectrometry provides information about the masses of particles and their detection frequencies.