Term: prior distribution, \(P_{0}\) https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04852 Definition: A product state distribution calculated on the basis of some physical model for the reaction. The distribution usually referred to is that of the products at the instant of their formation. Related Terms: 1) product state distribution (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04866). Source: 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) Citation: 'prior distribution, \(P_{0}\)' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04852 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.