How Water Becomes Ionized and Other Interesting Facts

The nucleus is the core of the atom and it contains protons. These protons are positively charged ions. Surrounding the nucleus are negatively charged electrons. Neutral atoms have equal amounts of positive and negative ions. During ionization, one negatively charged electron is removed. The consequence is more positive ions than negative electrons. Therefore, the process of ionization is removing electrons for a positive proton result.

Water Ionization

Negative chloride ions are formed when hydrogen chloride is added to water because the atom splits in two. Positive hydrogen ions are formed due to the chemical reaction that takes place. And this directly affects the chemical balance and properties of the water. In water ionization, the liquid is altered it by adding chemicals, filtering it, or processing it in other ways. Ionization in most cases, refers to purifying it for drinking purposes.

History of Ionizing Water

Ancient old days of ionization were straight forward and metal ionizers were used. Water was purified by placing copper bars in it. Drinking cups were silver. Copper and silver are both known to destroy some viruses. With a low metal absorption concentration of less than one-quarter, the metal ions were thought of not to be very harmful.

In 1903, Swedish chemist and physicist, Svante August Arrhenius won a Nobel Prize for chemistry. Michael Faraday and Sir Humphry Davy's original work was further developed and understood by Arrhenius' research and theory of ionization in the conductivity of solutions.

Electric Ionizers

For softening the pool and improving the smell of the water, electric ionizers may provide a better solution to just relying on chlorine to purify the pool. Over continued use, some side effects of chlorine may occur including the corrosion of pool equipment such as liners and filtering units.

Debates

Water ionizers may still be costly over a period of time. Many claim to enhance health, retain youthfulness and prevent chronic diseases and long life. There is some debate that even when the water has been through the ionization process, if it will stay in that state at the time someone is drinking it.

Advancements

In countries like Japan and Russia, it's nothing new. A product that has been around for decade, is a simple, powerful sanitizer that is safe for the environment, yet strong enough to eradicate spores like anthrax. And the U.S. already gave it the green light. Among the first industries to use this concoction in the U.S. have been prisons--to keep potentially harmful chemicals out of inmate's hands; and hotels--for clean, non-toxic solutions that kill bacteria left by visitors. Farmers use it as well to clean manure from barns.

This uncomplicated liquid uses negatively charged electrons: chloride; and positively charged protons: sodium chloride-otherwise known of table salt, mixed with plain water straight from the faucet. It has been ionized to become a one-stop appliance cleaning fluid, virus killing antibacterial solution and health liquid.

Electrolyzed water is ionized water because positive ions were produced while one negative electron was removed during the process. The dominant positive ions in the atom's nucleus chemical base--in this case, salt----are there along with the water cause a chemical reaction by an electrical charge.

References / Resources

ARRHENIUS, SVANTE AUGUST." World Book Advanced. 2009. Columbus Metropolitan Library. 20 May 2009 .

ROCK, PETER A. "Ion." World Book Advanced. 2009. Columbus Metropolitan Library. 20 May 2009 .

JAMES DULLEY. (2000, June 25). The Sensible Home; Ionizers Are a Cheap Way to Purify Pool :[Home Edition]. Los Angeles Times,p. 5. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from Los Angeles Times database. (Document ID: 55475245).

MARLA DICKERSON. (2009, February 23) MIRACLE WATER ANSWERS PRAYERS FOR SOME. [HOME EDITION] Los Angeles Times p. Full text. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from Los Angeles Times database (Document ID: N/A)

CHRIS WOOLSTON. (2007, January 22). THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC; It'll quench your thirst, of course; But whether ionized water can slow aging and fight disease is another matter :[HOME EDITION]. Los Angeles Times , p. F.4. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from Los Angeles Times database. (Document ID: 1198845891).