Tömegszámítás

Tömegszámítás, in English known as mass calculation or mass spectrometry, is a scientific technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. This process is fundamental in chemistry and physics for identifying unknown compounds, determining isotopic composition, and quantifying the amount of a substance.

The core principle involves ionizing a sample, which means giving the molecules or atoms an electrical charge. These ions are then accelerated through an electric or magnetic field. The path an ion takes through this field is dependent on its mass-to-charge ratio. Lighter ions or those with a higher charge will be deflected more than heavier ions or those with a lower charge.

By measuring the deflection, scientists can deduce the mass-to-charge ratio. Different types of mass spectrometers exist, each employing distinct methods for ionization and mass analysis, such as electron ionization, electrospray ionization, quadrupole mass analyzers, and time-of-flight analyzers.

The data generated, known as a mass spectrum, is a plot of ion abundance versus mass-to-charge ratio. This spectrum acts like a fingerprint for a substance, allowing for its identification by comparing it to known spectral libraries. Tömegszámítás is a powerful analytical tool with applications ranging from drug discovery and environmental monitoring to forensic science and space exploration.