Molecular ions are produced by passing a high-energy electron beam or an x-ray beam through:

Explanation

The ion that is produced when a molecule loses or gains one or more electrons is called a molecular ion, e.g., CH4+, CO+, or N2+. Cationic molecular ions are more abundant than anionic molecular ions. When a high-energy electron beam or an X-ray beam passes through a gas, it can produce molecular ions. The high-energy particles, either electrons or X-ray photons, interact with the gas molecules, resulting in ionization. In the case of electron ionization, a high-energy electron beam is directed at a gaseous sample. The electrons collide with the gas molecules, leading to the removal of one or more electrons from the molecules.