Possible importance of internal excitation in ion-molecule reactions in theFregion

The apparent electron loss rate in the F region is determined by ion-molecule reactions involving O+ ions and O2 or N2 molecules. The present paper considers whether a dependence of the rate coefficients on internal excitation of the reactants could be important in the ionosphere and examines briefly the excitation and deactivation processes involved. Particular attention is paid to vibrational excitation of N2 molecules, and it is suggested that excitation by electron impact may be important especially during conditions of high electron temperature as might be expected during magnetic disturbances and auroras.