What Happens When Molecules Collide? (Measurement of a Pressure-Broadening Coefficient)

Presentation Type

Poster/Portfolio

Presenter Major(s)

Chemistry

Mentor Information

George McBane, Stephanie Schaertel

Department

Chemistry

Location

Kirkhof Center KC17

Start Date

11-4-2012 9:00 AM

Keywords

Environment, Mathematical Science, Physical Science

Abstract

In order for any chemical reaction to take place, molecules must collide with each other. Our goal is to closely examine what is happening when they do. What we are studying is a molecular parameter called the 'pressure-broadening coefficient'. What we want to know is: as we increase the pressure, how does the absorption spectrum change? As it turns out, the effect of pressure on spectral line width is measurable, and that is what the 'pressure-broadening coefficient' (PBC) quantifies. We are currently using a very precise, home-built laser spectrometer to determine the PBC for carbon monoxide with neon as the colliding gas, and we hope to use the same technique to determine the PBC for collisions with other molecules/collider pairs that have not yet been closely studied. The PBC can then be used to give information about energy transfer during the collision step of chemical reactions.

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Apr 11th, 9:00 AM

What Happens When Molecules Collide? (Measurement of a Pressure-Broadening Coefficient)

Kirkhof Center KC17

In order for any chemical reaction to take place, molecules must collide with each other. Our goal is to closely examine what is happening when they do. What we are studying is a molecular parameter called the 'pressure-broadening coefficient'. What we want to know is: as we increase the pressure, how does the absorption spectrum change? As it turns out, the effect of pressure on spectral line width is measurable, and that is what the 'pressure-broadening coefficient' (PBC) quantifies. We are currently using a very precise, home-built laser spectrometer to determine the PBC for carbon monoxide with neon as the colliding gas, and we hope to use the same technique to determine the PBC for collisions with other molecules/collider pairs that have not yet been closely studied. The PBC can then be used to give information about energy transfer during the collision step of chemical reactions.