What is the difference between high- and low resolution?
Resolution is all about how well you can distinguish between two ion peaks of similar mass, and is manifested in the sharpness of the peaks seen in the spectrum. Low resolution usually applies to data from mass spectrometers where only different mass values can be distinguished from each other e.g. a difference between a mass of 304 and 305 Da. Masses any closer together will be inseparable. In this case the mass spectra should only give the measured mass to nominal mass accuracy i.e. 304 m/z rather than 304.25 m/z. High resolution applies to a spectrum where similar masses can be resolved and distinguished. Often resolution is also important for obtaining accurate mass. If you have two similar mass ions with insufficient resolution you will get a single ion peak in your spectrum. The determination of the mass of that ion is often based on the position of the centre or apex of the ion peak. In a poorly resolved spectrum both of these determinations of mass could be the average of the t
