Accession Number:

AD0753940

Title:

Association, Switching, and Rearrangment for Positively Charged Cluster Ions in the Upper Atmosphere. I. Qualitative Description,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

BALLISTIC RESEARCH LABS ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• Niles,Franklin E.
• Heimerl,Joseph M.

Report Date:

1972-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

37.0

Abstract:

The hydrated protons observed in the earths upper atmosphere are thought to be formed by a series of reactions with either NO or O2 as the principal precursor ion. The reactions involve positive ion-neutral association, switching of a neutral moelcule clustered to the positive ion with another neutral molecule, and the creation of a new positive ion through ion-neutral rearrangement. Rate coefficients measured in various laboratories are given. Steric representations for the cluster ions are presented and used to describe possible mechanisms for the reactions. The manner in which either HO2 or OH, but not H, can react with NOH2O, to provide a possible fast path to HH2O is discussed. Author

Descriptors:

• (*IONOSPHERE
• *HYDRATES)
• NITROGEN OXIDES
• IONS
• MOLECULAR ASSOCIATION
• WATER
• OXYGEN
• REACTION KINETICS
• MOLECULAR STRUCTURE

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE