Vibrational–rotational distributions of NO formed from N+O2 reactive collisions

We present the results of quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations for the N(4S)+O2 reaction over a broad range of collision energies with scaled ab initio potential energy surfaces of the 2A′ and 4A′ electronic states. The analysis of product rovibrational distributions support the suggestion that this reaction is a source of highly excited NO in the upper atmosphere. The computed NO vibrational distribution is found to be in good agreement with a recent measurement.