Issue 0, 1972

Kinetics of thermal ionization of alkali metals in flames

Abstract

The rate of ionization of alkali metal atoms M in flames of H2+ O2+ N2 has been measured using a quadrupole mass spectrometer to determine concentrations of each ion in a flame. The results confirm that the atoms ionize by collisions with flame gas molecules X in M + X → M++ e+ X. The measured activation energy is, within experimental error, the ionization potential of the alkali metal and the associated cross-sections πσ2 are anomalously large, being similar for each metal and in the range 2.5 ± 1.1 × 10–16 m2. These cross-sections are in excellent agreement with Kelly and Padley's values and are discussed in terms of both a “ladder-climbing” excitation mechanism and a process with an ionic complex as intermediate.

Article information

Article type
Paper

J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 1, 1972,68, 237-248

Kinetics of thermal ionization of alkali metals in flames

A. N. Hayhurst and N. R. Telford, J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 1, 1972, 68, 237 DOI: 10.1039/F19726800237

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Spotlight

Advertisements