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Photoelectric Observation of the Rate of Dissociation of Dinitrogen Tetroxide Behind a Shock Wave

Citation

Carrington, Tucker (1952) Photoelectric Observation of the Rate of Dissociation of Dinitrogen Tetroxide Behind a Shock Wave. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/63P4-AF03. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10102017-110749047

Abstract

An experimental method has been developed in which a shock wave is used to heat a gas by definite amount in a time short compared to the rate of adjustment of the gas to the new temperature. The rate of attainment of the new thermal equilibrium is then followed photoelectrically. The apparatus described here can be used to study reactions with half times as short as 10-5 seconds.

By this method the rate of dissociation of dinitrogen tetroxide in the presence of a large excess of nitrogen has been studied over a 48 degree temperature range and with an eight fold variation in total pressure. The results indicate that dissociation is a unimolecular reaction, near its second order limit at one atmosphere pressure, and approaching a first order limit at higher pressures.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:(Chemistry and Physics)
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Minor Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Davidson, Norman R.
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1952
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Atomic Energy CommissionUNSPECIFIED
Office of Naval Research (ONR)UNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:10102017-110749047
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10102017-110749047
DOI:10.7907/63P4-AF03
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:10498
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Benjamin Perez
Deposited On:10 Oct 2017 18:30
Last Modified:10 May 2023 23:12

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