Ionization

Ionization is the separation of an atom or molecule into positive and negative ions.

The difference between Ions and Ionization:

• the result: (a charged atom or molecule = ion)

• the process: (making of an ion = ionization)

Ionization is the act of turning a neutral atom into an ion.

Some water (H2O) molecules naturally ionize into hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions. The pH scales measure these ions.

HYDROGEN ION (H+)

The hydrogen ion is acidic. The more hydrogen ion dare there in a substance, the more acidic it will be.

HYDROXIDE ION (OH-)

The hydroxide is alkaline. The more hydroxide ion there are in an substance, the more alkaline it will be.

The ionization of water ⤴

Let walk through what happens step by step:

> 1. Two water molecules bump into each other

One of them steals a hydrogen nucleus, a proton (not a neutron nor electron) from another when they bump into each other.

> 2. Before the bump:

Water molecules #1: H2O (neutral). Water molecules #2: H2O (neutral).

> 3. After the bump:

Water molecule #1: H3O+ (gained a proton ➡ positive charge)

Water molecule #2: OH- (lost a proton ➡ negative charge)

So the hydroxide ion (OH-) is what’s left behind when a water molecule loses one of its hydrogens.

Pure water has a neutral pH because it contains the same number of hydrogen ions as hydroxide ions. It is equal balance of 50% acidic (hydrogen) and 50% alkaline (hydroxide).

pH is only possible because of water. Therefore, only products that contain water can have a pH.

In pH, as acidity increases, alkalinity decreases. Same thing: as alkalinity increases, acidity decreases