Collisional Cross Section Formula:
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Definition: Collisional Cross Section is defined as the area around a particle in which the center of another particle must be in order for a collision to occur.
Purpose: It helps in understanding molecular interactions, reaction rates, and gas dynamics in physical chemistry and molecular physics.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula relates collision frequency to molecular densities and incorporates temperature-dependent molecular motion.
Details: Understanding collision cross sections is crucial for predicting reaction rates, studying gas kinetics, and designing chemical processes.
Tips: Enter all required parameters in appropriate units. Ensure all values are positive. The calculator uses Boltzmann constant (1.38 × 10⁻²³ J/K) and π (3.1416) as constants.
Q1: What is the physical meaning of collision cross section?
A: It represents the effective target area that one molecule presents to another for collision.
Q2: How does temperature affect collision cross section?
A: Higher temperatures generally lead to smaller effective cross sections due to faster molecular motion.
Q3: What are typical values for collision cross sections?
A: For simple molecules, typically in the range of 10⁻¹⁹ to 10⁻²⁰ m².
Q4: How is reduced mass calculated?
A: \( \mu_{AB} = \frac{m_A \cdot m_B}{m_A + m_B} \), where m_A and m_B are the masses of the molecules.
Q5: Can this be used for non-ideal gases?
A: This calculator assumes ideal gas behavior. For real gases, additional corrections may be needed.