Positive and Negative Ions in the Air
Negative ions are great for human systems and our well being. The highest concentration of negative ions are in nature, especially around water - waterfalls, the beach and after a storm, and in mountains and forests. Negative ions are what gives the air a fresh, clean feeling.
They neutralize free radicals, revitalize cell metabolism, help the immune system, purify the blood and balance the autonomic nervous system, promoting deep sleep and healthy digestion.
Put simply, All matter (the human body, air, water, etc) is made up of molecules which are made up of atoms. Atoms are made up of three types of particles: protons (positive charge), electrons (negative charge), and neutrons (no charge). Electrons orbit their molecules like planets revolve around a star. Occasionally an electron flies off and when it does, it leaves behind a positively-charged ion whose sole purpose in life becomes to fill the void left by its little lost electron. In other words: it wants to steal a replacement electron from another molecule. Due to differences in molecular structure (number of electrons in the outermost orbit, strength and structure of electron bonds, etc) some materials lose electrons much more easily than others.
Ions are invisible charged particles in the air - molecules or atoms, which bear an electric charge. Positive ions are molecules that have lost one or more electrons whereas negative ions are oxygen atoms with extra-negatively-charged electrons.
An important benefit of negative ions is that they clear the air of air-born allergens such as pollen, mold spores, bacteria and viruses, and dust. They do this by attaching themselves to positively charged particles in large numbers and negatively charging those particles. As a result, these viruses, bacteria and pollen spores become too heavy to remain airborne and are thus prevented from entering your breathing passage where they can make you fall sick. It is like negative ions form a protective circle around you.
Positive ions, on the other hand, are in polluted cities, car exhausts, factory fumes, cigarette smoke, and dust and air conditioning outlets. Room air circulation, heat, humidity, and devices such as televisions and computer monitors also emit counteracting positive ions that deplete the air of negative ions. Positive ions absorb negative ions by neutralizing or positively charging them, diminishing the good effects that negative ions give us.
Studies show that positive ions rob us of our good senses and dispositions. For example, one study found that positive ions lower our resistance to airborne allergens by slowing down sweeping action of the tiny hairs in our throat and cutting down mucus flow. Positive ions were also found to cause contraction of the back tracheal wall, vasoconstriction and increased respiration rate.
The ions in the air changes with weather conditions. Positive ions in air increases especially when there is a a cold front, or low pressure passing through. This decreases the amount of negative ions in our body, and the amount of positive ions increases. In turn, this can make us prone to illness or feel generally unwell.
Your shower acts as a negative ion generator, like a mini waterfall. That's why you feel so good after a nice, hot shower. Himalayan salt lamps are also produce negative ions, keeping a pleasant atmosphere in rooms where they are placed.
They neutralize free radicals, revitalize cell metabolism, help the immune system, purify the blood and balance the autonomic nervous system, promoting deep sleep and healthy digestion.
Put simply, All matter (the human body, air, water, etc) is made up of molecules which are made up of atoms. Atoms are made up of three types of particles: protons (positive charge), electrons (negative charge), and neutrons (no charge). Electrons orbit their molecules like planets revolve around a star. Occasionally an electron flies off and when it does, it leaves behind a positively-charged ion whose sole purpose in life becomes to fill the void left by its little lost electron. In other words: it wants to steal a replacement electron from another molecule. Due to differences in molecular structure (number of electrons in the outermost orbit, strength and structure of electron bonds, etc) some materials lose electrons much more easily than others.
Ions are invisible charged particles in the air - molecules or atoms, which bear an electric charge. Positive ions are molecules that have lost one or more electrons whereas negative ions are oxygen atoms with extra-negatively-charged electrons.
An important benefit of negative ions is that they clear the air of air-born allergens such as pollen, mold spores, bacteria and viruses, and dust. They do this by attaching themselves to positively charged particles in large numbers and negatively charging those particles. As a result, these viruses, bacteria and pollen spores become too heavy to remain airborne and are thus prevented from entering your breathing passage where they can make you fall sick. It is like negative ions form a protective circle around you.
Positive ions, on the other hand, are in polluted cities, car exhausts, factory fumes, cigarette smoke, and dust and air conditioning outlets. Room air circulation, heat, humidity, and devices such as televisions and computer monitors also emit counteracting positive ions that deplete the air of negative ions. Positive ions absorb negative ions by neutralizing or positively charging them, diminishing the good effects that negative ions give us.
Studies show that positive ions rob us of our good senses and dispositions. For example, one study found that positive ions lower our resistance to airborne allergens by slowing down sweeping action of the tiny hairs in our throat and cutting down mucus flow. Positive ions were also found to cause contraction of the back tracheal wall, vasoconstriction and increased respiration rate.
The ions in the air changes with weather conditions. Positive ions in air increases especially when there is a a cold front, or low pressure passing through. This decreases the amount of negative ions in our body, and the amount of positive ions increases. In turn, this can make us prone to illness or feel generally unwell.
Your shower acts as a negative ion generator, like a mini waterfall. That's why you feel so good after a nice, hot shower. Himalayan salt lamps are also produce negative ions, keeping a pleasant atmosphere in rooms where they are placed.
Difference between a Positive Ion and a Negative Ion
Key difference: A positive ion and a negative ion are a part of an atom or a molecule. The key difference between the two ions is their net electrical charge of the ion, wherein a positive ion has a net negative charge and a negative ion has a net positive charge.
In chemistry, atom is considered to be the smallest particle of a matter. And, matter is what the entire universe made off. So, all matter, living or non-living organisms are made up of atoms. An atom consists of a small nucleus, which is made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. Only, the protons and the neutrons are present inside the atom, whereas the electrons revolve around the nucleus in a dedicated circular path.
Now, depending on the number of protons and electrons in the nucleus, the charge of the atom is determined. Often, the charge of the atom is neutral in nature, because it is consist of equal number of protons and electrons. These neutrons, electrons, and protons are further classified into ions.
Ions are defined as a molecule or an atom, wherein the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, thus, giving the atom a net positive or negative electrical charge. Now, if the ion is formed by a loss of electrons, a positive charge is developed, is called a cation and if it is formed by the gain of electrons, then a negative charge is imparted to the particle. Is called an anion. This whole process is termed as ionization.
In ionization, the ion with a net positive charge on it is termed as ‘positive ion’ or ‘cation’. Cation is an ion which has a greater number of protons than electrons. It is formed when the neutral ion loses its one electron from the valance shell, and the number of protons in the nuclei becomes higher than the number of electrons in the outer-shell. And, because of the less number of electrons, a positive charge is attained by the ion.
On the other hand, the ion with the net negative charge is termed as ‘negative ion’ or ‘anion’. An anion is just the opposite of a cation. They are just negatively charged ions formed by neutral atoms. The neutral atom gains an electron in its valance shell, and the number of electron increases in the atom. The ion uses the electron to stabilize itself, and instantly pulls in more electrons from the shell. Thus, the number of the electrons increases and the number of the protons decreases in atom.
Since the electric charge on a proton is equal in magnitude to the charge on an electron, the net electric charge on an ion is equal to the number of protons in the ion minus the number of electrons.
An anion (−) from the Greek word ἄνω (ánō), meaning "up", is an ion with more electrons than protons, giving it a net negative charge (since electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged).
A cation (+) from the Greek word κάτω (káto), meaning "down", is an ion with fewer electrons than protons, giving it a positive charge.
In chemistry, atom is considered to be the smallest particle of a matter. And, matter is what the entire universe made off. So, all matter, living or non-living organisms are made up of atoms. An atom consists of a small nucleus, which is made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. Only, the protons and the neutrons are present inside the atom, whereas the electrons revolve around the nucleus in a dedicated circular path.
Now, depending on the number of protons and electrons in the nucleus, the charge of the atom is determined. Often, the charge of the atom is neutral in nature, because it is consist of equal number of protons and electrons. These neutrons, electrons, and protons are further classified into ions.
Ions are defined as a molecule or an atom, wherein the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, thus, giving the atom a net positive or negative electrical charge. Now, if the ion is formed by a loss of electrons, a positive charge is developed, is called a cation and if it is formed by the gain of electrons, then a negative charge is imparted to the particle. Is called an anion. This whole process is termed as ionization.
In ionization, the ion with a net positive charge on it is termed as ‘positive ion’ or ‘cation’. Cation is an ion which has a greater number of protons than electrons. It is formed when the neutral ion loses its one electron from the valance shell, and the number of protons in the nuclei becomes higher than the number of electrons in the outer-shell. And, because of the less number of electrons, a positive charge is attained by the ion.
On the other hand, the ion with the net negative charge is termed as ‘negative ion’ or ‘anion’. An anion is just the opposite of a cation. They are just negatively charged ions formed by neutral atoms. The neutral atom gains an electron in its valance shell, and the number of electron increases in the atom. The ion uses the electron to stabilize itself, and instantly pulls in more electrons from the shell. Thus, the number of the electrons increases and the number of the protons decreases in atom.
Since the electric charge on a proton is equal in magnitude to the charge on an electron, the net electric charge on an ion is equal to the number of protons in the ion minus the number of electrons.
An anion (−) from the Greek word ἄνω (ánō), meaning "up", is an ion with more electrons than protons, giving it a net negative charge (since electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged).
A cation (+) from the Greek word κάτω (káto), meaning "down", is an ion with fewer electrons than protons, giving it a positive charge.
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