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Mathematics for Physics

41 Ionization

A process of removing an electron from an atom that is used to create a positively charged ion from a previously neutral atom.

definition [d] (Ionization) From Knight: the process of removing an electron from the electron cloud of an atom is called ionization. The resulting ion has charge

  • \(q = +e\)

when one electron of charge \(-e\) is removed from a neutral atom.

where

  • \(e\) is the elementary charge.
  • \(q\) is the charge of the positive ion after removal of one electron.

41.1 Elementary Example

41.1.1 Simple

A hydrogen atom loses its one electron and becomes a proton.

\[ \mathrm{H} \rightarrow \mathrm{H}^{+} + e^{-} \]

\[ q(\mathrm{H}^{+}) = +e \]

where

  • \(e^{-}\) is the removed electron.

41.1.2 General

Removing \(n\) electrons from a neutral atom yields charge \(+ne\).

\[ q = +ne,\quad n \in \{1,2,3\} \]

where

  • \(n\) is the number of electrons removed.