FC chemistry in the ionosphere

Question 1

what species persist in the ionosphere

Answer 1

N2, O2, CO2 and even trace amounts of H2O, Atoms (H, N, O) and radicals (OH, NO)

Question 2

describe the chemistry in the ionosphere

Answer 2

low densities mean slow reaction but high UV energies can produce very reactive excited or even ionised species.
charged particles e.g electrons, protons, ions play a crucial role in ionospheric chemistry.

Question 3

describe the F region

Answer 3

the F region is located above 150km, is dominated by atomic ions e.g O+, N+ and at the highest altitudes, H+ and He+ beyond 1000 km

Question 4

describe which wavelengths of radiation reaches the F1 and F2 region

Answer 4

Radiation of all wavelengths reaches the F2 region,
whereas 20-90 nm radiation ionises the F1 region

Question 5

describe the E-region

Answer 5

E-region (100-150 km) is where molecular ions become more important, e.g. NO+ and O2+

Question 6

what radiation ionises the E region

Answer 6

Extreme ultraviolet radiation 80-103 nm ionises the E-region

Question 7

describe the D region

Answer 7

D-region (below 100 km) is more complex: lowest T vs. relatively high pressures; hydrated protons and water-cluster ions become common; electron loss is due to negative ion formation

Question 8

describe the surviving radiation in the D-region

Answer 8

the only surviving radiation in the D-region is above 103 nm