AQA GCSE Ionisation

AQA GCSE Ionisation

Ionisation

Ionisation is the process where an atom will form an ion.

An ion is a charged atom. 

Atoms are electrically neutral because they contain equal numbers of protons and electrons. Each proton has a +1 charge, each electron -1 charge.

Structure of the atom

 

Atoms can lose or gain electrons to form ions. The element above is Lithium, if it loses one electron from its outer shell it will have 3 protons and only 2 electrons, so it will form a +1 ion.

Ionisation of an atom by radiation

 If  radiation strikes the electron, it can knock an electron off of an atom causing the formation of an ion, this is known as ionisation.

Practice Questions

1. What is meant by the term ionisation?

2. Explain why atoms are electrically neutral

3. How would an atom change if it were to for a 2+ positive ion?

 

Accordion Content
Accordion Content
Accordion Content
Accordion Content