The H + H2 reaction in two dimensions

Abstract

The correlation between reactant and product rotational energy, for levels which correlate with a true bending vibrational level of the transition state, is investigated for the H + H₂ reaction in two dimensions. It is predicted that the product is formed in the same rotational state as the reactant. The energy variation between the reactant and the transition state provides an activation barrier for each individual collision from which is calculated the range of impact parameters for which reaction can occur, and the reaction rate constant k. The expression for k is identical with that given by absolute reaction rate theory.