Dissociation Energy of Nitrogen

Abstract

VAN DER ZIEL¹ has observed weak predissociation in the First Positive system of N₂ for bands with v′ greater than 11. The predissociation was reported to be of the type which increases in strength with the rotational quantum number J, and both λ doubling components of the B³Π_g state are affected. Van der Ziel therefore concluded, apparently with good reason, that the state causing the predissociation was of type Δ. This led to the conclusion that a dissociation limit, the products of which were capable of producing a Δ state, must lie below the energy of the predissociation. Combining this information with the known predissociation limit for the C³Π_u state at 12·145 e.v., this gave a value of 7·383 e.v. for the dissociation energy of nitrogen, a value which has been generally accepted.