New to MS
Build the four-part foundation: spectrum → ion families → sources → ion motion.
Begin lesson 1: Read a spectrum →MassSpec.Tips
Mass spectrometry, from first principles to the lab.
Lessons, practical guides and interactive models. Start with the foundations or go straight to the topic you need.
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Learning paths
Start where you are
Working in the lab
Separate instrument checks, trace interpretation and evidence from controls.
Start with calibration vs tuning →Going deeper
Work from electric fields through stability, acceptance and model limits.
Study quadrupole theory →Browse the resource
Find your subject
Named lessons and tools below are ready to use. Short reference notes are labeled separately.
Fundamentals
A four-lesson sequence, followed by measurement quality.
- 1. A spectrum shows ions, not molecules
Read the axes and distinguish an observation from an assignment.
- 2. One molecule can make many peaks
Test isotope, charge, adduct and neutral-loss relationships.
- 3. Where ions come from
Compare sources by the sample and the question.
- 4. How ions move through the instrument
Connect fields, energy, pressure and ideal flight time.
- Resolution is not mass accuracy
Calculate FWHM, signed ppm error and repeatability.
Techniques & instruments
Understand the hardware and the models behind it.
- Mass spectrometer anatomy
Follow the sample, ion and signal paths.
- Quadrupole theory
Derive the fields and Mathieu stability conditions.
- Quadrupole stability explorer
Move a scan line and inspect its ideal passband.
Workflows
Choose the next read for the stage of analysis you are working on.
- Check instrument readiness
- Review blanks and controls
- Inspect chromatograms and spectra
- Investigate a failed check
A study route, not a universal batch sequence. Technique-specific workflow notes →
Method development
Distinguish what you can optimize from what you need to verify.
- Calibration vs tuning
Separate mass-axis calibration, tuning and independent checks.
Source-selection worked cases · Planning notes: goals, screening and robustness
Data analysis
Use measurements to test a claim without overstating it.
- Read chromatograms in spectral context
A repeatable scan-to-trace review before assigning a peak.
Related: ion-family assignments · mass error and overlap · processing review notes
QA/QC
Know which evidence a passing check actually supplies.
- Blanks, controls and carryover
Choose a control that tests the right part of the process.
Related: acceptance and verification checks · quality-planning notes
Troubleshooting
Start with the symptom, then choose a discriminating comparison.
- Troubleshoot mass spectrometry
Low signal, mass drift, background and poor repeatability.
Low signalMass driftBackground / carryoverPoor repeatability
Interactive tools
Test one idea at a time
- Ion & isotope explorer
Change charge and carbon count; compare probability with relative intensity.
- Resolution & mass-accuracy model
Change peak width and mass-axis offset independently.
- Ideal ion-flight model
Compare two ions at the same accelerating voltage.
Quick reference
Need a definition?
Look up m/z, adducts, resolving power, matrix effects, calibration and other terms in the mass-spectrometry glossary.
For brief technique, workflow and quality-planning notes, use Glossary & reference notes.