Idealized Theory of the Recombinations of Atoms by Three-Body Collision

Abstract

A simple method is given for following the collision dynamics of three potential well molecules restricted to move on a line. The method can be applied to similar simple potentials which involve rigid core repulsion. An expression for the reaction rate for the recombination of atoms is derived in terms of a flux integral over the range of the reaction paths across the Eyring potential surface. The rate is calculated for atoms which interact according to a potential very similar to the potential well model. Finally, the simple reaction A+BC→AB+C is studied by these methods.