Shock‐tube study of thermal decomposition of nitric oxide between 2700 and 3500 K

The decomposition of nitric oxide at temperatures ranging from 2700 to 3500 K was studied by means of the shock tube. The experimental data were reduced by the method described in a preceding paper and explained consistently by a set of the elementary reactions. The rate constant of the initiation reaction 2NO → N2O + O, which was not well known in this temperature range, was deduced precisely. k1 was one order of magnitude lower than that reported previously in similar shock‐tube experiments, and was consistent with results obtained below 2000 K and from the reverse reaction.