Effect of strength of gravitational field on the rate of chemical reactions

Abstract

The magnitude of the rate of chemical reactions also depends on the position in the gravitational field, where a chemical reaction is being carried out. At weaker gravitational field rate of reaction is greater than the rate of reaction at the stronger gravitational field provided temperature and pressure are kept constant at two positions in the gravitational field. Effect of gravity on the rates of reactions has been shown by formulating the rate constants from basic theories of chemical kinetics i.e. transition state theory, collision theory, RRKM and Marcus theory in the language of the general theory of relativity. Gravitational transformation of Boltzmann constant and energy quantum levels of molecules has been developed quantum mechanically. Gravitational transformation of thermodynamic state functions has been formulated that successfully explains quasi-equilibrium existing between reactants and activated complex; at different gravitational fields. Gravitational mass dilation has been developed that explains at higher gravitational fields the transition states possess more kinetic energy to sweep translation on the reaction coordinate, resulting in the faster conversion of reactants into products. Gravitational transformation of the half-life equation shows gravitational time dilation for the half-life period of chemical reactions and thus renders the general theory of relativity and present theory are in accord with each other.