Does ionization change velocity of ion?

  • #1
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If I add 1402kJ of energy to 1 mol of Nitrogen I will ionize it, as I understand it. So when I ionize it, will it actually change the velocity of the ionized atom? What about the overall temperature of the gas?
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
If I add 1402kJ of energy to 1 mol of Nitrogen I will ionize it, as I understand it.
Atomar nitrogen gas, where you magically prevent the formation of molecules? You'll both heat it and ionize some fraction of the molecules. The relative magnitude of those effects will depend on the way you put that energy into the system.

An ionization process typically gives kinetic energy to both the electron and the remaining atom, but the electron gets much more energy. It can transfer this energy to other particles afterwards, heating the gas.
 
  • #3
Atomar nitrogen gas, where you magically prevent the formation of molecules? You'll both heat it and ionize some fraction of the molecules. The relative magnitude of those effects will depend on the way you put that energy into the system.

An ionization process typically gives kinetic energy to both the electron and the remaining atom, but the electron gets much more energy. It can transfer this energy to other particles afterwards, heating the gas.
I see. I asked in an earlier question what an easy gas would be to ionize and to get, and I was recommended air which is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen but never mind, on further research I see that it actually forms bonds with itself, so you are correct. Sorry about that. However, in fact I am more interested in calculating this change in velocity for ions directly after ionization. Is there a formula I can use?
 
  • #4
Conservation of energy and momentum. The details depend on details of the ionization process.
 

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