What is the process of ionization?

The process of ionization refers to the addition or removal of electrons from an atom or molecule, resulting in the formation of ions. When an electron is added to a neutral atom, it becomes negatively charged, creating an anion. Conversely, when an electron is removed, the atom becomes positively charged, creating a cation. This process significantly alters the atom's chemical properties and allows it to interact differently with other charged and uncharged species.

In contrast, the other options describe different chemical or physical processes that do not define ionization. The combination of atoms to form molecules relates to molecular bonding rather than changes in electron configuration. The release of energy from a chemical bond pertains to bond formation and breaking but does not involve the specific addition or removal of electrons. The creation of a stable compound generally refers to processes resulting in stable interactions or bond formations, not the fundamental change of an atom or molecule into an ion through ionization. Thus, understanding that ionization specifically involves changes in electron count helps clarify why adding or removing electrons is the correct description of this process.