Water Effects on Atmospheric Reactions
Joseph S. Francisco
Department of Earth and Environmental Science and Department of Chemistry
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Water has a very significant impact on the processes that occur in the Earth’s atmosphere. Water is one the most abundant resources in our atmosphere and, because of its ability to be both a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, it can form very stable complexes. The formation of these complexes can dramatically affect the chemistry in the atmosphere, including heterogeneous removal and alteration of the photochemical properties of the atmospheric species, the formation of water droplets and aerosol particles, as well as the participation of these complexes in chemical reactions. This talk will provide a comprehensive look at both the experimental and theoretical investigations of water vapor effects on gas phase reactions, with an emphasis on those pertinent to the atmosphere. A goal of the talk is to provide an understanding of the fundamental concepts that lead to potential water effects, imparting a framework to realize the global effects of water in our atmosphere