hydrogen ions

Hydrogen ions (H⁺) are simply protons—the positively charged particles that make up atomic nuclei. In chemistry and biology, they often refer to a hydrogen atom that has lost its electron, leaving just the proton. These ions are crucial in many processes, especially in acids, where they determine the acidity of a solution. When acids dissolve in water, they release H⁺ ions, increasing the solution's acidity. Conversely, bases can accept H⁺ ions, reducing acidity. Overall, hydrogen ions are key to chemical reactions related to energy, metabolism, and pH balance in living organisms.