Book excerpt: Time of flight mass spectrometry identifies the elements of a compound by subjecting a sample of ions to a strong electrical field. Illuminating emerging analytical techniques in high-resolution mass spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry shows readers how to analyze unknown and emerging contaminants—such as antibiotics, steroids, analgesics—using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. The text combines theoretical discussion with concrete examples, making it suitable for analytical chemists, environmental chemists, organic chemists, medicinal chemists, university research chemists, and graduate and post-doctorate students.