# Ionization **Ionization** is any process where electrically neutral atoms/molecules become electrically charged by gaining or losing electrons. - An [[Atoms and Elements|atom]] is always electrically *neutral* - An ion is either *positively (cation)* or *negatively (anion)* charged --- ### Ionization Energy Atoms and ions that have the same electron configuration > **Ionization Energy:** The energy required to remove an electron from an First Ionization Energy ($IE_1$): A value that is recorded by slowly increasing radiation levels *until a single electron is lost.* - Decreases across groups - Increases across periods