This expression refers to the assumption, essential to conventional
transition-state theory,
that the energy of the system may be expressed as the sum of components associated with different
degrees of freedom. In transition-state theory it is assumed that the energy of the motion of the system through the
dividing surface of the
potential-energy surface is separable into various components. In many practical calculations it is assumed that the energy of the system is separable into electronic, vibrational, rotational and translational energy.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 149
(A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996))
on page 186
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997). XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic, J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
doi:10.1351/goldbook.
