What are the other ways (if they exist) that atoms can gain or lose electrons that aren't bonding?

I know that electrons can be isolated through human intervention from their atoms. My question rather concerns if electrons are ever lost or gained naturally. I recognize that this is a stupid question but I couldn't find the answer on the Internet.





> 
> My question rather concerns if electrons are ever lost or gained **naturally**.
> 
> 
> 


Yes, they can!


Here are two examples of natural processes by which atoms can gain or lose electrons "naturally":


Electron Capture
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In the *natural radioactive decay process* known as [electron capture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_capture) the nucleus captures an inner-shell electron, K- or sometimes L-shell. This results in a proton being converted to a neutron, and the emission of a neutrino. The atom has lost an electron, but conveniently a proton as well, so it remains neutral but with a deep vacancy. 


Auger Process
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If the vacancy is filled by a higher shell electron falling into it this can result in the emission of a photon, or in the emission of yet another electron. That emission is referred to as the [Auger process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auger_effect).




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See [Electron capture; Reaction\_details](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_capture#Reaction_details) for examples.


[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/oVNRE.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/oVNRE.png) [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Atomic_rearrangement_following_an_electron_capture.svg)


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