A spectrometer is an instrument used to measure the properties of light across different wavelengths. It works by dispersing light into its component colors, allowing scientists to analyze the spectrum. This analysis can reveal important information about the composition and characteristics of materials, making spectrometers valuable in fields like chemistry, physics, and astronomy. There are various types of spectrometers, including mass spectrometers and infrared spectrometers, each designed for specific applications. For example, mass spectrometers measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions, while infrared spectrometers focus on the infrared region of the spectrum to identify molecular structures.