Ionizing
Ionizing
Ionizing (/aɪˈɒn.aɪ.zɪŋ/) refers to the process by which an atom or a molecule acquires a negative or positive charge by gaining or losing electrons to form ions. The term is often used in the context of radiation, where ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions.
Etymology
The term "ionizing" comes from the Greek word "ion", which means "going", and the English suffix "-ize", which means "to make". In this context, "ionizing" refers to the process of making ions.
Related Terms
- Ion: An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.
- Radiation: The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization.
- Electron: A stable subatomic particle with a charge of negative electricity, found in all atoms and acting as the primary carrier of electricity in solids.
- Atom: The basic unit of a chemical element, and the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.
- Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ionizing
- Wikipedia's article - Ionizing
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