Mass spectrometry facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Q-TOF
A modern mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a process that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles. It is used to find out the mass of particles, and to find the basic chemical elements in a sample or molecule. It can also make clear the chemical structures of molecules, such as peptides and other chemical compounds. It works by ionizing the particles in the sample, which means an electron is removed from each particle, producing positively charged ions. This is done by using an electron gun - a high energy beam of electrons is passed through the sample to make electrically charged particles or ions. The ions are accelerated through a short tunnel, by use of negatively charged plates to which the positively charged ions are attracted. On passing through the tunnel, the ions are exposed to a magnetic field which causes them to travel in a curved path, depending on how heavy they are. Heavier ions are bent less than lighter ions (assuming they have the same +1 charge), when experiencing the same 'pull' from the magnetic field. This results in heavier ions hitting a detection plate, at the end of the tunnel, at a different position to lighter ions. From this information, the mass-to-charge ratio of the particles, and the relative abundance (how much was in the sample) of each type of particle can be worked out.

Mass spectrometer schematics

The first mass spectroscope was invented by the British physicist J. J. Thomson in 1912. His student Francis Aston developed the mass spectroscope for practical use. They are now widely used for agriculture, brewing, food processing, geology, petroleum exploration, medical drugs and space exploration.

Images for kids

  • IMS3F pbmf

    SIMS mass spectrometer, model IMS 3f.

  • LTQ OrbiTrap XL-Thermo Scientific 1

    Orbitrap mass spectrometer.

  • Early Mass Spectrometer (replica)

    Replica of J.J. Thomson's third mass spectrometer.

  • Alpha calutron tank

    Calutron mass spectrometers were used in the Manhattan Project for uranium enrichment.

  • CARIBU at ATLAS

    Surface ionization source at the Argonne National Laboratory linear accelerator

  • Fenn ESI Instrument

    Quadrupole mass spectrometer and electrospray ion source used for Fenn's early work

  • ICPMS Thermo torch 1

    Inductively coupled plasma ion source

  • FAB MS

    ThermoQuest AvantGarde sector mass spectrometer

  • Orbitrap mass analyzer - partial cross-section

    Orbitrap mass analyzer

  • IonSpec FT-ICR (Fourier transform Ion cyclotron resonance) Mass spectrometer

    Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer

  • IMA Conservation Science

    Indianapolis Museum of Art conservation scientist performing liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.

  • Toluene ei ms

    Toluene electron ionization mass spectrum

  • WB-57 PALMS Mount

    NOAA Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry aerosol mass spectrometer aboard a NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft

  • Rosy Red to TEGA

    NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander analyzing a soil sample from the "Rosy Red" trench with the TEGA mass spectrometer

  • Cont dynode detector

    A continuous dynode particle multiplier detector.

  • GCMS open

    A gas chromatograph (right) directly coupled to a mass spectrometer (left)

  • ObwiedniaPeptydu

    Mass spectrum of a peptide showing the isotopic distribution

  • Mass-spectrometer awi hg

    Mass spectrometer to determine the 16O/18O and 12C/13C isotope ratio on biogenous carbonate


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Mass spectrometry Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.