ENVIROMENTAL CHEMISTRY (GAS AND GAS-SOLID INTERACTIONS) - THE ROLE OFPHYSICAL-CHEMISTRY

This paper reviews two physical chemistry topics related to atmospheri c chemistry. First, we describe semiempirical models, based on thermoc hemistry and transition state theory, which are employed to estimate g as phase reaction rates over a wide range of temperatures and pressure s. We also review briefly the experimental techniques utilized for mea surements of elementary reaction rate constants, which provide the pri mary input to these models. We then address chemical reactions which l ake place in the atmosphere on the surface of solid, ice-like aerosol particles, discussing some current views on the mechanisms of these re actions and describing some laboratory techniques for the study of the se heterogeneous processes.