Ionisatiecoëfficiënt

Ionisatiecoëfficiënt is a term used in physics and chemistry to describe the degree to which a substance becomes ionized. Ionization is the process where an atom or molecule loses or gains electrons, resulting in a charged particle called an ion. The ionization coefficient quantifies this phenomenon, often expressed as a probability or a rate.

In the context of gases, the ionization coefficient is frequently used to characterize the electrical breakdown of the gas. When an electric field is applied to a gas, free electrons can gain energy and collide with neutral atoms or molecules. If these collisions are energetic enough, they can knock out additional electrons, leading to an avalanche effect and the formation of a plasma. The ionization coefficient is related to the number of ion pairs created per unit distance traveled by an electron in the gas under the influence of an electric field.

Different gases have different ionization coefficients under similar conditions due to variations in their atomic or molecular structure, ionization potentials, and collision cross-sections. Factors like temperature, pressure, and the strength of the applied electric field also influence the ionization coefficient. Understanding the ionization coefficient is crucial in applications such as gas discharge lamps, plasma processing, and the study of atmospheric phenomena. It helps predict when and how a gas will become conductive and form a plasma.