Accession Number:

ADA275988

Title:

Possible Role of Vibrationally Excited Hydrogen in the Chemistry of the Earth's Upper Atmosphere

Descriptive Note:

Memorandum rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Kaye, J. A.
• Strobel, D. F.

Report Date:

1983-10-27

Pagination or Media Count:

23.0

Abstract:

The possible role of vibrationally excited H2H2 on the budget of H2 in the earths mesosphere and lower thermosphere is considered and found to be negligible approx. 2 at 80 km. Our model includes production, chemical reactions, and quenching reactions of H2v0-5. We estimate that at 80 km, where H2 production is maximized, the rate of the H2 removing reaction O3P h2- OHH does not exceed 6.4 X 10exp-12 cmmolecsec for v5, which is sufficiently slow that quenching removes most H2 before it can react with O3P.

Descriptors:

• *VIBRATION
• *MOLECULES
• *EXCITATION
• *UPPER ATMOSPHERE
• *HYDROGEN
• MESOSPHERE
• PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
• CHEMISTRY
• EARTH ATMOSPHERE
• AERONOMY

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Radiation and Nuclear Chemistry
• Atomic and Molecular Physics and Spectroscopy

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE