Abstract
THE mechanism of the ‘chain reaction’ was devised by Bodenstein in 1913 in order to account for the fact that, although Einstein had postulated that each quantum of light absorbed in a photochemical process would decompose one molecule of the absorbing medium, the action of one quantum of light on a mixture of hydrogen and chlorine gave rise to 105-106 molecules of hydrogen chloride. It was therefore clear that the primary decomposition initiated by irradiation was propagated almost indefinitely by some other mechanism.
Chemical Kinetics and Chain Reactions
By N. Semenoff. (International Series of Monographs on Physics.) Pp. xii + 480. (Oxford: Clarendon Press; London: Oxford University Press, 1935.) 35s. net
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chemical Kinetics and Chain Reactions. Nature 137, 127–128 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/137127a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/137127a0
- Springer Nature Limited