Atomic hydrogen

[Little Bang]

If the di-atomic hydrogen molecule is separated, at what temperature and pressure will they remain separated?

[maddog]

As H2 Hydrogen in this form is sharing one electron. For this to separate would force one atom to

ionize (lose an electron).

 

Second depending on pressure and temperature implies that a solution is at least a

line in phase space of various pressures and temperatures. For the exact value(s), I

would defer to a chemist as I am a physicist. A rough guess at atmospheric

pressure (1 B), I'd guess above boiling point of water or > 212 F (100 C).

 

Another parameter I just thought would probably be needed as well unless you just

speaking of the energy to disassociate one atom alone. For a gas that would be the

mean free path. For a single atom that would be near the energy of the base of the

Lyman series (most energetic photon to excite an electron to the continuum and be

free or about 435 nm).

 

f = 1/w -> and E = hf

 

would give you the answer.

 

maddog