In this simulated
mass
spectrum, the
ion
of
m/z = 30 has relative
abundance
of 100%, so it is the
base
peak. The
ion
of
m/z = 50 has a relative
abundance of 30%, meaning the
mass
spectrum contains 30% as many
ions
of
m/z =50 as
m/z = 30 (the
base
peak). Note that this does not mean 100% of the
ions
produced have
m/z = 30 and another
30% have
m/z = 50. This is not
possible
because 100% + 30% = 130%, and it's not possible to produce more
than
100%.