The method of temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) with the spatial resolu
tion of desorbed product molecules and the measurements of their average ra
tes (<v >) are used to study the transformation of methyl radicals adsorbed
on polycrystalline copper. In the products of TPR, only methane is found.
The spatial distribution of its desorption flow (SDDF) is described by the
equation CH3.. The results of SDDF and I/I-0 = COS(16)psi measurements agre
e with each other. Under these conditions, translationally excited methane
molecules are desorbed from the copper surface. The energy of these molecul
es is 10-15 times higher than the thermal energy.