Before revision: Mechanism The Coulombic repulsion of particles having the same electric charge can break the bonds that hold solids together A Coulombic explosion begins when an intense electric field (often from a laser) excites the valence electrons in a solid, ejecting them from the system and leaving behind positively charged ions.
After revision: Mechanism A Coulombic explosion begins when an intense electric field (often from a laser) excites the valence electrons in a solid, ejecting them from the system and leaving behind positively charged ions.