The Quantum Mechanics of Chemical Reaction

Abstract

It is shown that the quantum mechanics is capable of describing processes which have all the aspects of certain chemical reactions. It turns out that a system may change from one configuration to another when a quantum level of the one configuration has the same energy as a quantum level of the other. Among such reactions mention is made and some discussion given of the large classes of molecular rearrangements, and decompositions, including radioactive disintegration. The dependence on pressure and temperature is slightly discussed and it is indicated that the present theory quite explains the necessity of the old "activation hypothesis" of Arrhenius. The old notions should, however, be modified to take into account that it is not sufficient to have at least the "activation energy" but the molecule must be in a particular state to react. Moreover when there are several "activated" states the rate of reaction from different ones may be very different indeed. Insight is gained into the nature of certain types of catalytic action including special wall catalyses. Some features of photochemical reactions are made clear by the theory. * Publication Approved by the Director of the Bureau of Standards of the U. S. Department of Commerce.

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