Science: About Ions

What is an air ion?
Most matter in the universe is ionised. In the high vacuum of space, atoms and molecules in excited energised states and possess electric charges. By contrast, only a small proportion of the earth's atmosphere is ionised.

How are ions formed?
A gas molecule is made of several atoms. Each atom consists of a central nucleus and one or more orbiting electrons. An electron (shown in blue) has a negative electrical charge. A small proportion of atoms in our atmosphere are exposed to ionising radiation that forces an electron out of orbit ... and into orbit around another atom. The atom losing an electron is called a positive ion; the atom gaining an electron becomes a negative ion. All negative ions are formed as primary ions - an atom with just one additional electron. Ions tend to cluster with time and distance and the number of molecules within the cluster dictates whether it is classified as a:

Small and Medium Ions have greatest effect on living organisms whilst large ions are effective at neutralising static and precipitating particles from the air. All ionisers initially emit primary ions. The term 'medical' ions or 'ingestible' ions are misleading as all small and medium negative ions are equally healthy and equally breathable.

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Ionisation is the transfer of one or more electrons from one atom to another.