A dynamical effect that arises for a process
when the species
A
is light (e.g. a hydrogen atom) compared to
B
and
C
. The vibrational excitation of the product
A–B
is low, since the light atom
A
approaches to within the bonding distance of
BC
before the
C
atom retreats. The energy of reaction is therefore released as repulsion between
A–B
and
C
, with the result that there is translational excitation of the products.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 149
(A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC
Recommendations 1996))
on page 171
