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Ionization: The process by which an atoms turn into an ion by gaining or losing electrons.

Ionization Potential: The amount of energy needed in order to take an electron away from an atom.

It turns out that each atom holds onto its valence electrons with a different strength. Some hold them tightly, while others hold them rather loosely. For those atoms that hold their valence electrons tightly, it takes a lot of energy to take an electron away. On the other hand, if an atom holds onto its valence electrons loosely, not much energy is required in order to remove one.