Cooling rate of an electron gas by polar molecules (in planetary and cometary atmospheres).
Abstract
The cooling rate of an electron gas is considered from the standpoint of the rotational and vibrational processes of polar molecules. A normalized electron velocity distribution function helping to describe this cooling rate is assumed to be Maxwellian, and the rotational and vibrational level populations are taken to obey the Boltzmann distribution. The rotation of symmetric-top molecules, of diatomic molecules and of asymmetric-top molecules is considered. Results are briefly presented for the rotational excitations possible in H2O.
- Publication:
-
Report of Ionosphere and Space Research in Japan
- Pub Date:
- 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975RISRJ..29...65A
- Keywords:
-
- Cooling;
- Electron Gas;
- Energy Dissipation;
- Heat Transfer Coefficients;
- Planetary Atmospheres;
- Comets;
- Cosmic Gases;
- Diatomic Molecules;
- Electron Transitions;
- Molecular Rotation;
- Polar Gases;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration