Mass spectrometry is a powerful technique for identification of unknowns and study of molecular structure of various compounds. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique for “weighing” molecules. Mass spectrometry is based upon the principle of the motion of a charged particle that is called an ion, in an electric or magnetic field. The mass to charge ratio of the ion affects particles motion. MS is now in very common use in analytical laboratories that study physical, chemical, or biological properties of a great variety of compounds. Mass spectrometry has both qualitative and quantitative uses. Due to ionization sources such as electrospray ionization and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization (MALDI), mass spectrometry has become an irreplaceable tool in the analytical sciences. This article provides an overview of mass spectrometry, focusing on ionization sources and their significance in the development of mass spectrometry in molecular analysis.
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