Irradiation of NH3-CH4 mixtures as a model of photochemical processes in the Jovian planets and Titan

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

15

Ammonia, Atmospheric Chemistry, Gas Giant Planets, Methane, Photochemical Reactions, Planetary Atmospheres, Titan, Ultraviolet Radiation, Gas Analysis, Irradiation, Satellite Atmospheres, Temperature Effects, Planets, Giant Planets, Photochemistry, Irradiation, Ammonia, Methane, Mixtures, Models, Satellites, Titan, Photolysis, Chemistry, Atmosphere, Laboratory Studies, Experiments, Gases, Jupiter, Saturn, Procedure, Temperature, Pressure

Scientific paper

The reactions occurring upon the ultraviolet irradiation of ammonia-methane mixtures are investigated in a simulation of the atmospheric chemistry of the Jovian planets and Titan. Gas mixtures were irradiated at 185 nm at temperatures from 156-298 K, and product and reactant concentrations were determined by means of gas chromatography. The ratio of the moles of CH4 lost per mole of NH3 decomposed is found to be 0.25, with the extent of CH4 decomposition independent of temperature. The absence of a temperature effect suggests that nonthermal atoms, probably hydrogen, initiate CH4 decomposition by the extraction of a hydrogen atom. A decrease in CH4 loss with increasing pressure or the addition of other gases to the photolysis mixture, and the lack of an increase in NH3 photolysis with CH4 pressure support this mechanism. Major reaction products obtained include C2H2, C3H8 or CH3NH2, and C4H10. Considerations of atmospheric concentrations of H2 and He indicate that NH3 photolysis does not contribute to CH4 decomposition on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, although it may have had a role in the formation of the Titan atmosphere.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Irradiation of NH3-CH4 mixtures as a model of photochemical processes in the Jovian planets and Titan 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 Irradiation of NH3-CH4 mixtures as a model of photochemical processes in the Jovian planets and Titan, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Irradiation of NH3-CH4 mixtures as a model of photochemical processes in the Jovian planets and Titan will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1469412

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.