What is the order of steps in mass spectroscopy?

The process of mass spectrometry follows a specific sequence that begins with ionization. In this first step, the sample is ionized, which involves converting the molecules of the sample into ions. This is essential because mass spectrometry analyzes charged particles.

Following ionization, the next step is acceleration. The ions produced are subjected to an electric field, which accelerates them towards a magnetic field. This acceleration prepares the ions for the subsequent stage in the mass spectrometer.

Once the ions are accelerated, they pass through the magnetic field, where they experience deflection based on their mass-to-charge ratio. Lighter ions and those with higher charges are deflected more than heavier ions. This deflection allows for separation of the ions in accordance with their mass.

Finally, the last step is detection, where the separated ions are detected, usually by some form of ion detector that measures their abundance. This data is then processed to provide a spectrum that represents the mass-to-charge ratios of the ions present in the sample.

Understanding this order—ionization, acceleration, deflection, and then detection—is crucial for grasping how mass spectrometry works and interpreting the results it yields regarding the composition of a sample.