How does mass spectrometry work?

Mass spectrometry is completed in three main steps.

• The first step of mass spectrometry is ionization, where heat is applied to the sample molecules to convert it into a gas. Sample molecules are then ionized using an ion source converting gas to ions.
• The second step is sorting the ions according to mass which is done in two stages - acceleration and deflection. Ions accelerate at speeds dependent on their mass with lighter molecules moving much faster than heavier molecules. The beam of ions shoot out into a magnetic field where ions are then deflected. The amount of deflection is dependent on the mass of the ions; the lighter the molecules, the more they will bend into an arc.
• Lastly, ions with increasing mass are read by the detector, and in turn the computer creates a spectrum for analysis.