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GCSE Physics · key term
The process in which one or more electrons are removed from an atom, leaving a positively charged ion.
Used by Edexcel and OCR
Specification 6.11, 6.16 · Paper 1
The process by which an atom or molecule becomes electrically charged through the gain or loss of electrons.
Revise: Ionising RadiationsThe atom then has more protons than electrons, so it becomes a positive ion. This process is called ionisation.
Specification P5.2h, P6.1h · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
The removal or addition of electrons to an atom, leaving it electrically charged.
Revise: Hazards of EM wavesOne way this happens is ionisation: an atom loses an electron and becomes charged. Ionisation can disrupt the molecules that cells need to work normally, including their genetic material.
The loss of an outer electron from an atom, leaving a positively charged ion.
Paper 1, Paper 2
The process by which an atom or molecule becomes charged, such as when radiation removes an electron.
Revise: Atomic Interactions and Generation of RadiationThe electron is still part of the atom, so excitation is not the same as ionisation.
Distinguish excitation from ionisation: an excited electron remains in the atom; an ionised atom has lost an outer electron.
Only high-energy ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays are identified here as able to ionise some atoms. Visible light and infrared may be absorbed without causing ionisation.
Distinguish ordinary excitation from ionisation: an excited electron remains in the atom at a different energy, whereas ionisation removes an electron from the atom.
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