A Mass Spectrometer is an analytical instrument, measuring masses and relative concentrations of atoms and basic magnetic force on a moving charged particle.
The instruments is used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. It produces a mass spectrum of a sample to fine and decide its composition. The process includes ionizing the sample and separating the ions having different mass. The relative abundance of these ions is recorded by measuring the intensities of ion flux.

Composition
A mass spectrometer consists of three main parts including:

• Ion Source
• Mass Analyzer
• Detector

Working Principle
The instruments work on the premise that different chemicals have different masses and thus a mass spectrometer is useful in determining the composition of the sample chemical. A sample is broken down into electrically charged particles or ions. The broken down particles have different atomic weights and these charged particles can be moved with the creation of a magnetic field. These charged particles/ions are sent into an ion acceleration chamber and made to pass through a slit in a metal sheet. A magnetic field is applied to the chamber, which deflects the ions onto a detector. The lighter ions are deflected farther than the heavy ions. The detector is used to measure exactly how far each ion deflects, and the ion's 'mass to charge ratio' is measured. this information makes it possible to determine with certainty what the chemical composition of the original sample was.

Use of a Mass Spectrometer
These analytical instruments find applications in diverse field including:

• Satellites and Spacecrafts
• Carbon Dating
• Radioactive Dating
• Research Laboratory