About this Simulation

This interactive simulation models how a mass spectrometer uses electric and magnetic fields to separate ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. Learners can adjust field strengths, particle velocity, and detector configuration to observe how different ions follow distinct curved paths and are collected at different positions.

Learning objectives: Understand how magnetic and electric fields exert forces on charged particles | Explore the relationship between mass, charge, velocity, and deflection in electromagnetic fields | Discover how mass spectrometers identify unknown substances by analysing ion trajectories