Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry argon ions. Making the plasma from argon, instead of other gases, has several advantages. First, argon is abundant (in the atmosphere, as a result of the radioactive decay of potassium) and therefore cheaper than other noble gases. Argon also has a higher first ionization potential than all other elements except He, F, and Ne. Because of this high ionization energy, the reaction (Ar + e → Ar) is more energetically favorable than the reaction (M + e → M). This ensures that the sample remains ionized (as M) so that the mass spectrometer can detect it. Argon can be purchased
Life Among the Ruins bluesy hard rock and melodic metal, more similar to early Whitesnake's recordings than the epic power metal of albums like "Noble Savage" and the following "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Part I". This is the first album with bassist Rob DeMartino, who replaced Joe O'Reilly, retired from the scene. All lyrics by David DeFeis, music as indicated Life Among the Ruins Life Among the Ruins is the fifth full-length studio album by US heavy metal band Virgin Steele. It was released in 1993, after almost five years of inactivity. The song "Snakeskin Voodoo Man" was present only in the