hydrogen ion

noun

Definition of hydrogen ion

1 : the cation H⁺ of acids consisting of a hydrogen atom whose electron has been transferred to the anion of the acid

2 : hydronium

Examples of hydrogen ion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When that carbon is absorbed, a series of chemical reactions takes place that produces more hydrogen ions and leads to more acidic waters. — Sarah Gibbens, National Geographic, "The Pacific Ocean, explained," 4 Mar. 2019 But hydrogen ions, single protons, have positive electric charges and naturally repel each other. — Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, "How Quantum Mechanics Lets Us See, Smell and Touch," 24 Oct. 2018 The more hydrogen ions present, the more acidic the solution will be, and the lower the pH. — SELF, "What Even Is Alkaline Water and Is It Really Better Than Regular Water?," 6 Sep. 2018 The sun and all other stars generate light by nuclear fusion, smashing hydrogen ions together to form helium, a process that releases energy. — Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, "How Quantum Mechanics Lets Us See, Smell and Touch," 24 Oct. 2018 For starters, let’s talk about pH. A substance’s pH (potential hydrogen) is the measure of the hydrogen ion concentration within it. — SELF, "What Even Is Alkaline Water and Is It Really Better Than Regular Water?," 6 Sep. 2018 The enormous clouds emit large amounts of ultraviolet light with a spectral line produced by hydrogen ions, known as a Lyman-alpha line. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Giant Glowing Space Blob's Power Source Discovered," 21 Sep. 2016 At the cathode, catalysts split N2 molecules and prompt the hydrogen ions and electrons to react with nitrogen and make ammonia. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018 The anode, covered with a catalyst, splits water molecules into O2, hydrogen ions, and electrons. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrogen ion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.