Mass Spectroscopy
Definition:
Mass spectroscopy is a scientific technique used to measure the masses of small electrically charged particles, such as atoms or molecules. By determining these masses, scientists can identify different substances and understand their structure.
Usage Instructions:
- Part of Speech: Noun
- Context: Mass spectroscopy is often used in chemistry, biology, and environmental science to analyze samples.
Example Sentence:
"The researchers used mass spectroscopy to identify the chemicals present in the water sample."
Advanced Usage:
In advanced settings, mass spectroscopy can be used for complex analyses like proteomics (studying proteins), metabolomics (studying metabolic processes), and environmental testing.
Word Variants:
- Mass Spectrometer: The instrument used to perform mass spectroscopy. - Mass Spectrometry: Another term often used interchangeably with mass spectroscopy, though "mass spectrometry" may refer more broadly to the entire science and techniques involved.
Different Meaning:
While "mass spectroscopy" specifically refers to measuring masses of charged particles, "spectroscopy" in general refers to the study of how light interacts with matter, which can include various types of spectroscopy (e.g., UV-Vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy).
Synonyms:
- Mass spectrometry (as noted above) - Mass analysis (though this is less common)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "mass spectroscopy" as it is a technical term. However, you might encounter phrases such as "break down" (in terms of analyzing components) when discussing the results of mass spectroscopy.