Prior distribution

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-009478",
  "term": "Prior distribution",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The distribution of product molecules among energy states that a model of the reaction predicts, evaluated at the instant the products are formed. In surprisal analysis the model is statistical, with every energetically allowed state equally probable, and the measured distribution is compared against it to reveal dynamical constraints. The same words also name a Bayesian assumption about a parameter before data are seen.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "product state distribution"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 149. 'A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 178 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668010149)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/prior-distribution/"
}