The concept of ionization refers to the process and consequences of ionizing.
Ionization is the process and consequences of ionizing . The verb ionize, for its part, refers to the dissociation of a molecule into different ions or to the transformation of a molecule or an atom into an ion.
Ionization, therefore, is a procedure through which ions are generated (an atom or molecule that has an electrical charge by gaining or losing a certain amount of electrons). The concept is used in the field of chemistry .
The particle that has a greater number of electrons compared to the molecule or neutral atom is called anion (it has a net negative charge). The particle that, on the other hand, has fewer electrons than the neutral atom or molecule is called a cation (positively charged ).
Types of ionization
Chemical ionization can occur in various ways. One of them is the transfer of electrons, as in the case of sodium chloride (chlorine undergoes a reaction with sodium).
Physical ionization , on the other hand, consists of isolating the electrons that are part of the neutral molecule through the supply of the required energy. The energy contribution can be made from ionizing irradiation (with X-rays or ultraviolet light), heating at high temperatures or the application of an electric field.
There are different types of ionization.
a kind of energy
In addition to all the above, we have to add that there is a compound term that also makes use of the concept that concerns us now and that is basic in the field of physics and chemistry. This is the expression ionization energy . With it, what is attempted is to define or mention the minimum energy that is needed to be able to carry out what is the ionization process of an atom or a molecule.
It is important to emphasize that this chemical and physical process that we are analyzing in depth is very useful for carrying out various actions and specifically two very important ones in terms of international security. Thus, for example, for some time scientists and researchers have been working on the use of ionization to be able to undertake explosive detection .
An electro-spray seems to be the fundamental element needed to be able to carry out this action through ionization. But it doesn't only serve that purpose. Thus, as we said previously, it is also being used to detect everything that is prohibited or dangerous substances. Among them would be all kinds of drugs.
The Spanish company SEDET ( European Detection Society ) is the one that is working more specifically on these initiatives that we have mentioned in order to protect all citizens from terrorist attacks. Thus, for this reason, in addition to the aforementioned research, it is developing other projects that have the same objective.
Ionization is present in the operation of fluorescent tubes , in plasma televisions and in the lightning that appears in the middle of a storm. It is also possible to sterilize an instrument through ionization, which allows microorganisms to be eliminated from a certain place thanks to the application of radiation .