Discover
/
Article

Fast Chemical Kinetics Studied with Laser Light

OCT 01, 1968
Physics Today

Scattering of laser light off molecules in solution can yield previously unknown information on the kinetics of ionic chemical reactions. Yin Yeh and Norris Keeler (Lawrence Radiation Laboratory) have studied solutions of simple salts in chemical equilibrium. Ionic reactions occur spontaneously in such solutions, dissociation of molecules and association of ions causing continuous local variations from equilibrium; the relaxation time for return to equilibrium gives the rate of the ionic reaction. These reactions are too fast and involve too few molecules for standard chemical‐kinetic methods to work.

This article is only available in PDF format

Related content
/
Article
In the closest thing yet obtained to a movie of a breaking chemical bond, there’s a surprise ending.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1968_10.jpeg

Volume 21, Number 10

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.