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mkarger
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My professor just attempted to explain ionized hydrogen to us. She said that an ionized hydrogen atom is basically a proton. But I don't understand why that would still be considered hydrogen if it no longer has an electron.
fss said:Because elements are determined by number of protons, not by number of electrons.
mkarger said:So a proton cannot exist in it's own state?
Dr Lots-o'watts said:In air, there's always something around to neutralize it.
skeptic2 said:Isn't hydrogen normally H2? The H2 molecule could lose one electron and still be ionized H2.
OP said:She said that an ionized hydrogen atom is basically a proton.
Ken Natton said:Interesting. Would a hydrogen nucleus not also contain a neutron, whereas a lone proton is just that – a lone proton (however such a thing may not be practically)?
So that critically, as the term ‘ionised hydrogen’ would imply to me, it does refer specifically to a former complete hydrogen atom – one proton, one neutron, one electron – that has lost its electron, rather than a lone proton of unspecified provenance.
If it isolated from conductors or other atoms. In some plasmas that are sufficiently hot, protons and electrons exist freely, and there may be few neutrals, simply because they get smacked by nuclei, electrons, gamma rays or brehmstrahlung.mkarger said:So a proton cannot exist in it's own state?
Ionized hydrogen is a type of hydrogen atom that has lost one or more of its electrons. This results in a positively charged ion, or cation, which is attracted to negatively charged particles such as electrons.
Hydrogen can become ionized through various processes, such as exposure to high energy radiation or collisions with other particles. It can also be artificially ionized in laboratory settings using devices such as plasma generators.
Ionized hydrogen has unique properties compared to neutral hydrogen. It emits light at specific wavelengths, making it useful for studying the composition and temperature of stars and other celestial objects. It is also highly reactive and can easily form compounds with other elements.
Ionized hydrogen is used in various fields of research, including astrophysics, plasma physics, and spectroscopy. It is also used in technologies such as fuel cells, where it is combined with oxygen to produce electricity. In addition, ionized hydrogen is used in some medical treatments for conditions such as cancer.
In small amounts, ionized hydrogen is not harmful. In fact, it is naturally present in our atmosphere and plays a crucial role in the formation of the ozone layer. However, in high concentrations, it can be dangerous as it is highly reactive and can damage living cells. Extreme caution should be taken when working with artificially ionized hydrogen.