Surprisal analysis

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011686",
  "term": "Surprisal analysis",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "An information-theoretic method for analyzing the distribution of product states in a chemical reaction, such as vibrational or rotational energy levels. It compares the observed product state distribution with a prior statistical distribution that assumes no dynamic constraints on the reaction pathway. The deviation from the statistical expectation, quantified as the surprisal, reveals specific dynamic biases and propensities in the molecular collision process.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "surprisal"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 149. 'A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 188 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668010149)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/surprisal-analysis/"
}