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Atmospheric formation of NO from N 2 (A³Σ)
Author(s) -
Swider William
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl003i006p00335
Subject(s) - ionization , daytime , electron , physics , nitrogen , astrophysics , absorption (acoustics) , quiet , nitrogen oxides , atmospheric chemistry , atomic physics , electron ionization , d region , atmospheric sciences , chemistry , ion , ozone , meteorology , astronomy , nuclear physics , ionosphere , optics , quantum mechanics , engineering , waste management
The reaction between N 2 (A³Σ) and O(³P) contributes to the production of O(¹S) in auroras. It is argued here that the other possible products for the reaction, NO(X²π) + N(²D, 4 S) also may be significant and have an important impact upon odd nitrogen chemistry in the auroral E‐region and perhaps even the quiet daytime E‐region which is formed in part by ionization created by energetic electrons liberated by the absorption of solar X‐rays. The reaction between N 2 (A³Σ) and O 2 (X³Σ), which has been suggested as leading to N 2 O formation, is discussed.