Molecular Hydrogen in Collisions

Margot Mandy (University of Northern British Columbia)

August 22, 2023

–

Abstract: What happens when a hydrogen molecule gets hit by another atom or molecule? Does it matter what hits it? These are questions that have been explored through collisional dynamics calculations for H2 in collision with He, H, and H2. At the same time these calculations can yield quantities that are important in understanding the cooling of inter-stellar shocks. The successes and challenges of these calculations are surveyed along with recent developments and the questions still to be resolved.