Physics – Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
Scientific paper
2008-05-06
PMC Physics B (2008) 1:3
Physics
Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
10 pages, 10 figures
Scientific paper
10.1186/1754-0429-1-3
Electron cooling, in which free electrons lose energy to vibrational excitation of gases, has been identified as a significant process in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus for electron impact on CO2. This process does not appear to have been evaluated for CO, although the density of CO exceeds that of CO2 in the upper atmospheres of these planets. In this paper electron cooling rates for CO are calculated and compared with existing rates for CO2. It is found that electron cooling by CO becomes more significant than by CO2 above altitudes of about 300 km on Mars and about 168 km on Venus. The sensitivity of the calculated cooling rates to different measurements of the integral cross sections for electron-impact vibrational excitation of CO is also investigated. PACS Codes: 34.80.Gs, 96.12.Jt
Brunger Michael J.
Campbell Laurence
No associations
LandOfFree
Electron cooling by carbon monoxide in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Electron cooling by carbon monoxide in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electron cooling by carbon monoxide in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-209331