Thermal ionization

Thermal ionization is a process where heat energy causes atoms or molecules to lose electrons, forming charged particles called ions. When a material is heated to high temperatures, its atoms absorb enough energy to eject some electrons, creating positive ions. This process is commonly used in scientific instruments to analyze the composition of materials or to generate ions for mass spectrometry. Essentially, heat provides the energy needed to overcome the forces that hold electrons in atoms, allowing them to escape and produce an ionized state suitable for measurement or further experimentation.