Term: ionizing collision
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03214

Definition:
An ion/neutral species interaction in which an electron or electrons are stripped from the ion and/or the neutral species in the collision. Generally, this term has come to be used to describe collisions of fast-moving ions with a neutral species in which the neutral species is ionized with no change in the number of charges carried by the ion. Care should be taken when this term is used to emphasize if charge stripping of the ion has taken place.

Related Terms:
1) stripping (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S06054).

Source: PAC, 1991, 63, 1541. 'Recommendations for nomenclature and symbolism for mass spectroscopy (including an appendix of terms used in vacuum technology). (Recommendations 1991)' on page 1555 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199163101541)

Citation: 'ionizing collision' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03214

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