How does ionisation occur

The work function of a metal is important in electronics and in creating scientific instruments such as electron guns. Read more about work functions and the photoelectric effect on metals here.

The trends in ionization energy and electron affinity, combined with effects from the electron structure of an atom, influence the type and strength of chemical bonds that form between atoms. Radiation can be classified as "ionizing" if it has enough energy to eject an electron from an atom. The energies of alpha and beta decay particles and gamma ray photons are higher than the ionization energies of most atoms and molecules, so when these types of radiation collide with an atom or molecule, electrons are removed, creating a positive ion cation.

For molecules, exposure to ionizing radiation may also break chemical bonds, fragmenting the molecule. Ionizing radiation is used to create the ions used in mass spectrometry, [6] a powerful technique for identifying chemical compounds. It is also the basis of the operation of a Geiger counter, which emits "clicks" for every particle of ionizing radiation detected.

Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Fuels. Acid Rain. Climate Change. Climate Feedback. Ocean Acidification. Rising Sea Level. Ionization Figure 1. Simplified ionization process where an electron is removed from an atom. May 14, An atom's charge can only change through gaining or losing electrons. Protons cannot be added or removed because they are bound up with neutrons in the nucleus. Electrons can be lost because an ionising radiation something that you will study later in this chapter comes close to or collides with the atom and forces the electron away from the atom.

If the atom is hit by an ionising radiation , it may lose an electron. This turns the atom into a positively charged ion - it has more protons than electrons. Ionisation If the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons then the atom is uncharged and is electrically neutral. Example Carbon atom with six neutrons, six protons and six electrons If the atom is hit by an ionising radiation , it may lose an electron.