Dissociation of sulphur dioxide at 3000°K
Abstract
The dissociation of shock-heated SO2 at low pressures near 3000°K is preceded by an induction period τ given by k1[SO2][M]τ= 1.6 × 10–8 mole l.–1 where k1 is the rate constant for SO2+ M = SO + O + M. The dissociation is strictly first order in SO2 but complex in total pressure. The reaction is autocatalytic or chain; no exact mechanism can be deduced at present.