ICP-MS stands for which term?

ICP-MS stands for which term?

• A. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectronomy
• B. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emissions Spectronomy
• C. Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emissions Spectronomy
• D. American Industrial Hygiene Association

Answer: (A)

ICP-MS combines an inductively coupled plasma ion source with mass spectrometry. The plasma ionizes the sample, turning atoms into ions, and the mass spectrometer then separates those ions by their mass-to-charge ratio to quantify elements. This mass-based detection is why it's distinct from optical emission methods, which measure the light emitted by excited atoms or ions at characteristic wavelengths rather than their masses. The other options either refer to optical emission spectroscopy (measuring light rather than masses) or, in one case, to a professional organization, so they don’t describe the ICP-MS technique. The correct term is Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, with the standard spelling “mass spectrometry.”

ICP-MS combines an inductively coupled plasma ion source with mass spectrometry. The plasma ionizes the sample, turning atoms into ions, and the mass spectrometer then separates those ions by their mass-to-charge ratio to quantify elements. This mass-based detection is why it's distinct from optical emission methods, which measure the light emitted by excited atoms or ions at characteristic wavelengths rather than their masses. The other options either refer to optical emission spectroscopy (measuring light rather than masses) or, in one case, to a professional organization, so they don’t describe the ICP-MS technique. The correct term is Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, with the standard spelling “mass spectrometry.”