Computer study of Br2 shock wave dissociation
Computational studies of Br2 shock wave dissociation in argon were conducted, and the possibility of vibrational relaxation–dissociation coupling, stronger than previously suspected (2), was investigated. In order for such a coupling to occur, the vibrational temperature in the lower vibrational levels of Br2 must be lower than that in the higher vibrational levels. The approximate shapes of vibrational distribution functions were obtained, and corresponding shock wave profiles were computed. The calculations predict an appreciable difference between the translational and vibrational temperatures of the dissociating Br2. In order to check this conclusion, the Br2 absorption coefficients at 440 mμ, measured at equilibrium by heating Br2 in a furnace from 300 to 1250°K, were compared to the absorption coefficients measured in shock waves.