Final answer:
The process by which x-radiant energy removes an orbital electron from an atom to form an ion pair is called ionization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which x-radiant energy removes an orbital electron from an atom to yield an ion pair is known as ionization.
During ionization, discrete amounts of energy are absorbed by an atom which may raise it to an excited state and displace one of its electrons.
If the absorbed energy is sufficient, it can completely remove the electron from the atom, hence ionizing the atom. The atom becomes a positively charged ion, and the freed electron becomes a negatively charged ion, thus forming an ion pair.
The minimum amount of energy needed to remove one electron from an atom in its ground state is referred to as its ionization energy.
Removal of an electron usually takes place from the inner shells of an atom and creates an ion with fewer electrons than the original atom, also known as a cation.
When an atom loses an electron and becomes ionized, it may later capture another electron and upon recapture, may emit characteristic electromagnetic radiation, like X-rays.