Completely revised and updated in its Third Edition, this text provides an easy-to-read guide to the concept of mass spectrometry and demonstrates its potential and limitations. Utilizing real life examples of analyses and applications, the book presents eighteen realistic cases of qualitative and quantitative applications of mass spectrometry. Unlike other mass spectrometry texts, this comprehensive reference provides systematic descriptions of the various types of mass analyzers and ionization, along with corresponding strategies for interpretation of data. Detailed coverage of inlet systems, vacuum systems, detectors, data systems and specialized techniques such as MS/MS and selected ion monitoring for quantitative analyses is included. This new edition contains eight new chapters, including six devoted to various types of ionization, such as Electrospray, MALDI and ICP. There is also extensive coverage of electron ionization incorporating a thorough introduction to a variety of types of fragmentation and fragmentation pathways in different classes of compounds