Measurement of the Dissociation Rates of Hydrogen and Deuterium

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Abstract
Dissociation rates for hydrogen and deuterium have been found by measuring the density profile behind an incident shock wave as a function of time in mixtures of argon and hydrogen or deuterium. The density ratio was measured using an interferometer and drum camera. Relative efficiencies of argon, the molecule, and the atom in causing dissociation have been found for each isotope by varying the relative concentrations. The dependence of the rates on temperature was measured over the range 2800°-4500°K. Association-rate constants derived from the measured dissociation-rate constants showed a 1/T dependence on the temperature in the case of both isotopes when the third body was the molecule or an argon atom. Derived rate constants for association when the third body is another atom were found to be much larger and to have a more involved temperature dependence.