Final answer:
When electrons are removed or ejected from a substance due to exposure to light or other forms of high-energy radiation, it is described as ionization. This results in the formation of an ion and a free electron, where the newly created ions are typically very reactive. Therefore, the correct option is A) Ionize.
Step-by-step explanation:
When electrons jump off of things, scientists say that they ionize. This process typically occurs when materials are exposed to light or other forms of energy, such as ultraviolet (UV) rays, X-rays, or gamma rays, which carry enough energy to eject electrons from surfaces. Ionizing radiation, by scattering from electrons and nuclei in a substance, transfers energy to the electrons because they are much less massive than nuclei and, therefore, can absorb more energy due to the law of conservation of momentum and energy. This results in the formation of ions, which are highly reactive and can lead to a cascade of chemical changes. For example, when a photon—a quantum of electromagnetic radiation—hits an atom, if the photon has enough energy, it can remove an electron from that atom, leading to the creation of an ion and the free electron.