Double step-ladder model of activation in the processes of high-temperature dissociation of polyatomic molecules

A unified mechanism of the interaction of vibrational relaxation and dissociation of polyatomic molecules working in a wide temperature range (from 2000 to 10000 K) is proposed, which is described by a double step-ladder model. Relaxation due to collisions with the transfer of small and large portions of energy is taken into account. The transfer efficiency of the portions of thermal energy in the high-temperature decomposition upon the collisions of CO₂ molecules with atomic and molecular partners is determined. The reaction rate constant of high-temperature dissociation of carbon dioxide is calculated. The data presented in the article suggest a new method for elucidating the mechanism of energy exchange in the absence of vibrational and translational equilibrium and at ultrahigh temperatures when the dissociation takes place during the time of several collisions.