phase-space theory

This is a theory applied to unimolecular or bimolecular reactions proceeding through long-lived complexes. The probability of reaction is assumed to be proportional to the number of states available to a particular product channel divided by the number of states corresponding to all product channels. The theory is used to predict rates, product energy distributions, product velocity distributions, and product angular momentum distributions.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 149 (A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 176