The collision efficiency, or de-energization efficiency, is defined by:
where
is the
rate constant for a particular substance
when it brings about the de-energization process
and
is the corresponding
rate constant for a reference molecule
that de-energizes
on every collision; that is, the reference molecule
undergoes
strong collisions, and by definition has a collision efficiency
of unity. The species
is usually in a vibrationally-
excited state, and
has energy less than that required for reaction to occur.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 149
(A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996))
on page 159
