Physics A-Level
Ionisation
What Ionisation means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Ionisation
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Reference: AQA
Collisions between charged particles and gas atoms cause this, creating positive gas ions and free electrons.
When an electron gains enough energy to escape from an atom, leaving a positive ion.
Topics that use Ionisation
- Cathode rays (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Collisions of electrons with atoms (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Electron volt
- Energy levels
- Energy unit conversion
- Fluorescent tube
- Numerical precision and significant figures
- Quantisation of charge and the elementary charge
- Unit conversion between atomic-scale and SI units
- Work done on charged particles
Using Ionisation in the exam
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