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ionization

Process by which atoms or molecules acquire charge by gaining or losing electrons

EntityQ190382

Also known as ionisation

Subclass of: phase change
, chemical reaction
Part of: Systems Biology Ontology

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

Ionization or ionisation is the process by which an atom or a molecule acquires a negative or positive charge by gaining or losing electrons, often in conjunction with other chemical changes. The resulting electrically charged atom or molecule is called an ion. Ionization can result from the loss of an electron after collisions with subatomic particles, collisions with other atoms, molecules, electrons, positrons, protons, antiprotons, and ions, or through the interaction with electromagnetic radiation. Heterolytic bond cleavage and heterolytic substitution reactions can result in the formation of ion pairs. Ionization can occur through radioactive decay by the internal conversion process, in which an excited nucleus transfers its energy to one of the inner-shell electrons causing it to be ejected.

Overview

All data

50 statements · 20% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Opposite of: plasma recombination
Uses: gaseous state of matter
Has effect: plasma state of matter
ion

On other databases

38 identifiers linking ionization across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

20%

externally sourced

Source last edited May 24, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

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AIDB. (2026). ionization (Q190382). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/ionization-Q190382