Simulation model for shapiro time delay and light deflection experiments

The time delay experiment proposed by I.I. Shapiro in 1964 and conducted in the seventies was the most precise experiment of general relativity until that time. Further experimentation has improved the accuracy level of both the time delay and the light deflection experiments. A simulation model is proposed that involves only a simple mass and time transformation factor involving velocity of light. The light deflection and the time delay experiments are numerically simulated using this model that does not use the general relativistic equations. The computed values presented in this paper compare well with recent levels of accuracy of their respective experimental results.     

The missing part of the greenhouse effect

Summary Global average temperatures from 1860 to 1989 were analysed with a simple fitting procedure. The temperature records can be fitted with a rising exponential up to 1946 and with the same exponential minus an increasing cooling action from 1946 to 1989. It is shown that the results are compatible with the hypothesis of an albedo increase caused by SO₂ emissions. This hypothesis gives satisfactory explanations of the temperature drop in the years 1940–1970, of the different warming of the northern and southern hemispheres and of the slower warming observed over North America. The results give an indication that the greenhouse warming in the next years could be faster than predicted until now. Due to the relevance of its scientific content, this paper has been given priority by the Journal Direction.     

Positron mobility in polyethylene in the 60–400 K temperature range

We have determined the positron mobility (₊) in polyethylene samples (67.2% crystalline, glass transition temperatureT _g=151 K) in the 64–400 K temperature range by Doppler shift measurements. A method based on the simulataneous observation of two lines from¹³³Ba and¹³⁷Cs radioactive sources together with the positron annihilation line, was employed to measure the Doppler shift of the 511 keV line as a function of the electric field applied to the samples. With this method we were able to measure at the same time the drift velocity of positrons and theS parameter. This parameter is very important in the interpretation of the mobility trend in samples where the positron states change with temperature. The positron mobility was corrected for positronium formation. ₊ at 64 K is 31.7±0.8 cm² V^–1 s^–1 then decreases up to 123 K, increases at 148 K and decreases again up to 170 K (₊=26.9±0.8 cm² V^–s^–). This sharp change in mobility is centred around the glass transition temperature of our samples. Then the mobility remains almost constant up to 230 K. From 250 K to 377 K, ₊ increases and reaches the value of 38.4±1.0 cm² V^–1s^–1. The corrected experimental data were well fitted by a simple model taking into account scattering and a thermally activated process (hopping mechanism).     

Entwicklung eines neuen Absolutradiometers

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Dynamics of Multi-Body Rotors: Numerical and Experimental FEM Analysis of the Scientific Earth Experiment Galileo Galilei Ground

Some small scientific satellites can be regarded as free, multi-body, supercritical and statorless rotors. Classical rotordynamics does not cover the dynamic behaviour and the stability analysis of such rotating systems, being focused on fixed rotors. Attitude dynamics usually deals with single rigid spacecrafts, sometimes equipped with flexible appendices like solar arrays or antennas. The case of the Galileo Galilei Ground (GGG) test facility is herewith analyzed through a numerical and experimental investigation on the dynamic behaviour of a fixed multi-body fast-spinning rotor in order to validate the design approach proposed for Galileo Galilei (GG) spacecraft.     

Positron scattering on benzene and cyclohexane: Experiment and modified effective range theory

Total cross sections for positron scattering on benzene and cyclohexane measured with high angular resolution in the 0.5–20 eV range are compared with previous experimental data. Present data showing a rise in the zero energy range agree much better with the theory than previous experiments. The rise can be reproduced by the modified effective range theory, using three partial waves.     

The kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of formic acid by bromine in acid aqueous media

The reaction between formic acid and bromine in strongly acid aqueous media at 298 K was studied by absorption spectrophotometry (λ = 447 nm). Reaction rates, expressed as R = -d[Br₂]/dt, depend on the concentrations of HCOOH (0.3–2.4M), Br₂[(2.7–13.6) × 10^?3M], H⁺ (0.03–2.0M), and Br^? (up to 0.6M). The mechanism with k₁ = 20.2 ± 1.2 M^?1 sec^?1, pK₂ = 3.76, pK₃ = ?1.20, accounts for all experimental observations. Br₃^? and HCOOH can be considered unreactive within experimental error. Apparent deviations from the basic mechanism at higher acidities can be quantitatively ascribed to the nonideality of ionic species.     

Anomalous kinetic hydrogen isotope effect in the oxidation of formate by bromine: Tunneling via an intermediate

Rates of oxidation of XCOO^? (X = H, D) by Br₂ in acid aqueous media were measured between 274 and 332 K. The derived Arrhenius parameters for both reactions where θ = 4.575T × 10^?3 kcal/mol, with (k_H/k_D)_298K = 2.85, reveal a primary isotope effect, but the difference (E_D - E_H) = 3.29 kcal/mol and the ratio A_D/A_H = 91 fall beyond the limits imposed by semiclassical transition-state theory, suggesting tunneling or a multiple-stage mechanism. However, it can be shown that either tunneling in a single step or a three-step, internal return mechanism can be ruled out as alternative models, since both require unreasonable kinetic parameters to fit the data. The simplest scheme accounting for the present observations involves tunneling in the decomposition of a charge transfer complex in equilibrium with the reactants.