In reply to Mike Carrell's message of Tue, 10 May 2005 15:21:59 -0400: Hi Mike, [snip]
The ionization energy of K+++ (to K++++) is 60.91 eV (not a multiple of 27.2) However the ionization energy of K++++ -> K+++++ is 82.5 eV (about .9 eV > 81.6 eV) The sum of the ionization energies of K through K++ resulting in K+++ is 81.686 eV. The energy hole required for H -> H[n=1/4] is 81.6 eV. >Robin wrote: >> It is K, not K+++ that is the catalyst. K+++ is the end product >> after the catalytic action (which then eventually returns to K by >> repeatedly capturing free electrons). >> >--------------------- >Potassium catalysis is possible for 2K+ *and* for K+++. K+ is produced in >the thermal reactor by evaporation and dissociation of KNO3 and K+++ results >from the dissociationof K2CO3. I doubt very strongly that thermal dissociation of K2CO3 would yield K+++ directly. More likely is that it directly yields K+, which then captures a free electron from the plasma, resulting in a K metal atom. This then in turn acts as a Mills catalyst, where three electrons are stripped in the reaction: H + K -> H[n=1/4] + K+++ + 3e- + 122.4 eV resulting in the presence of K+++ in the plasma where it may be spectroscopically detected. (a further 81.6 eV is released when the K+++ captures free electrons). >In the reactor, encounters of K+++ and H >yield H(1/4), This reaction doesn't work, because the ionization energy of K+++ is wrong. See above. >but K+++ can capture electrons to become K+ and two of those >with H yield H(1/2). Agreed. >See "A Comprehensive Study of Spectra of the Bound-Free Hyperfine Levels of >Novel Hydride Ion H-(1/2), Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Air", page 19, second >paragraph from the bottom. This is the paragraph is question, none of which suggests that K+++ is a catalyst: "2K+ to K + K2+ each provides a reaction with a net enthalpy equal to the potential energy of atomic hydrogen. In addition, the first, second, and third ionization energies of potassium are 4.34066 eV , 31.63 eV , and 45.806 eV , respectively. The triple ionization (t = 3) reaction of K to K3+, then, has a net enthalpy of reaction of 81.7766 eV , which is equivalent to 3× 27.2 eV . Line emission from a potassium rtplasma corresponding to K3+ was observed at 65 - 67 nm, 74 - 76 nm, and 89.2 nm. K2+ was observed at 51 nm and 55 nm, and K+ was observed at 62 nm. K was observed at 3447 Å, 4965 Å, and 5084 Å. The potassium lines were confirmed by NIST tables and standard discharges of potassium [41, 81]. The characteristic emission from K3+ and K2+ confirmed the resonant nonradiative energy transfer of 3× 27.2 eV from atomic hydrogen to atomic potassium and the transfer of 27.2 eV from atomic hydrogen to 2K+ , respectively." >See also Conrad's study of the thermal reactor in >"Emission in the deep vacuum ultraviolet from a plasma formed by >incansescently heating hydrogen gas with trace amounts of potassium >carbonate", in Plasma Sources Science and Technology. He did not do the same >spectroscopic studeis that BLP did. Perhaps you could quote the relevant passage from this document, as I am unwilling to fork out for it (and you apparently already have)? [snip] Regards, Robin van Spaandonk All SPAM goes in the trash unread.
