The molecular statistics of some chemical actions

Abstract

1. Introduction . Very little has been written on the kinetic theory of gases in its chemical aspect. There can be no doubt that when a gas is absorbed or chemically acted on by a solid surface, the rate at which the change proceeds must depend on the number of collisions made by the gas molecules with the surface. But how many such collisions are required before a successful result is achieved ? The usual methods of investigating the velocity of chemical action in gases are not capable of giving much information on this subject. For under the usual conditions the action at the surface takes place so quickly as to be virtually instantaneous, and the observed effects are mainly governed by the rate at which new unaltered material can make its way to the scene of action. Again the solid surface will, in most cases, be altered in the course of the action, becoming less efficient. This introduces another difficulty. I have been able, by the selection of certain rather special cases, to evade or overcome these difficulties, and wish now to present the results. I shall also discuss from the kinetic standpoint a case of chemical change occurring entirely between gaseous molecules.