The energy required to remove an electron from an atom or molecule of a gas to an indefinite distance; the potential difference through which an electron must be accelerated to achieve this; specifically (more fully "first ionization potential") the energy required to remove an electron in the lowest energy state (the least strongly bound electron).
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London.
Definition of ionization potential in US English:
ionization potential
noun
Physics
The energy required to remove an electron from an atom or molecule of a gas to an indefinite distance; the potential difference through which an electron must be accelerated to achieve this; specifically (more fully "first ionization potential") the energy required to remove an electron in the lowest energy state (the least strongly bound electron).
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London.