Small Ion

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Small Ion

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An atmospheric ion, apparently a singly charged atmospheric molecule (or, rarely, an atom) about which a few other neutral molecules are held by the electrical attraction of the central ionized molecule. Estimates of the number of satellite molecules range as high as 12. Also called light ion, fast ion. </dd>
Small ions may disappear either by direct recombination with oppositely charged small ions or by combination with neutral Aitken nuclei to form new large ions, or by combination with large ions of opposite sign. The small ion, collectively, is the principal agent of atmospheric conduction. [[/a>|/a> ]]

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use