Lifetimes of Unstable Molecules

Abstract

The mechanism of the decomposition of a molecule formed by the collision between a molecule and another particle is discussed qualitatively. Calculations are then carried through to determine the lifetime of a simple linear triatomic molecule formed by the collision of an atom with a diatomic molecule. The results are applied to the short-lived molecule HO2 to determine the order of magnitude of its lifetime in a number of different states, although it does not conform strictly to the idealized conditions for which the calculation was made.