LOW-TEMPERATURE ABSOLUTE RATE CONSTANTS FOR THE REACTION OF ATOMIC SODIUM WITH OZONE AND NITROUS-OXIDE

The bimolecular reaction between atomic sodium and ozone has been measured between 293 and 216 K, yielding a rate constant of (7.9 +/- 2.1) x 10(-10) cm3 molecule-1 s-1 at 293 K with a temperature dependence given by (1.6 +/- 0.7) x 10(-9) exp[-(195 +/- 110)/T] cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of atomic sodium with nitrous oxide has also been measured at 294 and 218 K, yielding values of (1.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(-12) and (2.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(-13) cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively. These values compare well with recent low-temperature measurements from other laboratories. The kinetic results for the Na + O3 reaction are compared with earlier results and discussed in terms of their impact on the atomic sodium nightglow in Earth's mesosphere.