Ion mobility is a method used in analytical chemistry to separate and characterize ions based on their size, shape, and charge. This technique involves the measurement of the time taken for ions to travel through a buffer gas under the influence of an electric field. By analyzing the mobility of ions in this way, researchers can gain insight into the structure and composition of molecules, making it a valuable tool in fields such as proteomics, metabolomics, and drug discovery. Ion mobility is often used in conjunction with mass spectrometry to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of analyses.