V–V exchange involving H2O molecules: A calculation of the N2*–H2O deactivation rate constant

Abstract

A calculation of the N₂*+H₂O→N₂+H₂O* deactivation rate constant is presented which is in fair agreement with measurement. The process is found to be well described by quasiresonant VR energy exchange induced by hard core forces. The large rates are due to the vast number of VR modes H₂O has available to absorb energy. Long ranged and hydrogen bond forces are considered but found to be relatively unimportant for VV exchange. The calculated rate constant was dominated by interactions in which the molecules collided with certain specific initial orientations.