What does a mass spectrometer determine?

A mass spectrometer is a powerful analytical tool primarily used to determine the relative atomic masses of elements and their abundances in a sample. It achieves this by ionizing chemical compounds and then measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions. This process allows for the precise identification of different isotopes present in the sample and provides detailed information about the molecular weight and structure of the compounds involved.

Understanding the composition of substances at the molecular level is crucial in various fields, such as chemistry, biology, and environmental science, making mass spectrometry an invaluable tool for researchers and professionals alike. The ability to accurately measure atomic masses and relative abundances helps in tasks ranging from identifying unknown compounds to verifying the purity of a substance.