Development of current concepts of elementary processes in radiation chemistry

Abstract

Processes in Radiation ChemistryA chemical equation relates only the stoichiometry of a process. For understanding of the reaction, of its rate, of its dependence on various concentration and environmental conditions, knowledge of its mechanism is desirable. The individual steps in that mechanism arc called the elementary processes. However, a true description of an elementary process involves writing something more than a simple reaction, and the details often elude discovery and invite speculation and experimental test over many years.The elementary processes which most invite our attention are those which appear susceptible to detailed theoretical treatment and experimental test. In the present stage of our endeavors, we are limited to mathematical approximations in very simple cases and to qualitative extensions, by analogy, to more complicated systems. A favorite tool of the theorist is a system made of protons, deuterons, and electrons.

The Radiolysis of Cyclohexane: Iv. Binary Mixtures in the Vapor Phase

“…This would be especially true if the internal conversion of some of the electronic energy into vibratio~lal energy occurs as rapidly as it is presently thought to occur (in the orcler of 10-l3 sec (9)). Thus k6 might be expected to be of the same order of magnitude in the gas and liquid phases.…”