ion cloud


ion cloud

[′ī‚än ‚klau̇d] (geophysics) An inhomogeneity or patch of unusually great ion density in one of the regular regions of the ionosphere; such patches occur quite often in the E region. (physical chemistry) A slight preponderance of negative ions around a positive ion in an electrolyte, and vice versa, according to the Debye-Hückel theory. Also known as ion atmosphere.