Ionosphere: Causes of Electron Production & Recombination Reaction

[Nusc]

Hi,

what causes the production of electrons in the ionosphere?
The electron density results for photon ionization.

How is there a depletion in electron density and why is it characterized by the following recombination reaction:
O^+ + N_2 -> NO^+ +N

?

 

[davenn]

what causes the production of electrons in the ionosphere?

that should be better asked ... What causes the Ionosphere aka what caused the ionisation of atoms in the ionosphere

The answer ... UV radiation from the sun is the main cause

The electron density results for photon ionization.

Not sure what you mean by that ?

 

[sophiecentaur]

Not sure what you mean by that ?

Perhaps it's a contrast with thermal ionisation.