[help] about electron-ion collision

ada_ada_2002

Hi there.
What happens during the electron -ion collision when the velocity of ion is higher than that of electrons? How the energy transports? Can ionization happens?
Thank you so much!

MisterX

I know that bombarding ions with electrons with sufficient energy can result in ionization. The collisions may tend to strip atoms of their electrons.

Drakkith

There is no difference between an ion travelling at high velocities compared to an electron and vice versa. Both the electron and the ion could be "seen" to be stationary in relation to the other.

ada_ada_2002

Thank you!
One thing I don't understand is: in this condition, the energy of ion is much much higher than that of electron, how can ion gain more energy? (ionization means ion's energy increases, right?)

Drakkith

Ionization means that an atom will lose or gain 1 or more electrons and go from a neutral atom to a charged one, either positive or negative charge.
A highly energetic Ion colliding with a static electron could cause further electrons to be lost from the Ion, increasing it's positive charge even further. However I think it is usually the opposite case where an electron collides with an atom or ion and causes ionization.

ada_ada_2002

Thank you, Drakkith. I will think about it. I can imagine the picture, I am just not clear about the energy flow/transport in this process.

Drakkith

From your frame the electron gains energy from the ion, and if ionization occurs then it uses the kinetic energy of the ion as well.