01 n. the process of converting neutral atoms or molecules into ions. The process may occur by dissolving an ionic substance in a dissociating s…
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the process of converting neutral atoms or molecules into ions. The process may occur by dissolving an ionic substance in a dissociating solvent, such as water, or by adding or subtracting an electron to or from an atom or molecule. The latter process occurs, for example, in an electron beam in a mass spectrometer and by interaction of substances with ionizing radiation.(Elec. Chem.) See: ionizing radiation