Collisional Ionization

Collisional ionization occurs when energetic particles, such as electrons or atoms, collide with an atom or molecule with enough force to remove one or more electrons. This process requires sufficient energy, often in high-temperature environments like stellar atmospheres or plasma. When an electron hits an atom with enough power, it can knock an electron out, turning the atom into a positively charged ion. This ionization changes the atom's electrical properties and increases the number of charged particles in the environment, influencing physical processes like electrical conductivity and radiation emission.