Resolving power

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-010239",
  "term": "Resolving power",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The ability of an optical instrument or analytical technique to distinguish between two closely spaced objects or to separate two components with similar properties. In mass spectrometry, it is the ability to differentiate between ions of very similar mass-to-charge ratios. This is often expressed as M/ΔM, where M is the mass and ΔM is the smallest discernible mass difference.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "percent",
    "transition wavenumber",
    "resolution",
    "wavelength"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Orange Book, 2nd ed., p. 203 (https://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/)",
    "PAC, 1978, 50, 65. 'Recommendations for Symbolism and Nomenclature for Mass Spectroscopy' on page 72 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197850010065)",
    "PAC, 1991, 63, 1541. 'Recommendations for nomenclature and symbolism for mass spectroscopy (including an appendix of terms used in vacuum technology). (Recommendations 1991)' on page 1554 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199163101541)",
    "Green Book, 2nd ed., p. 31 (https://goldbook.iupac.org/files/pdf/green_book_2ed.pdf)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/resolving-power/"
}