  State-to-state differential cross sections (DCSs) for rotationally inelastic
scattering of H2O by H2 have been measured at 71.2 meV (574 cm-1) and 44.8 meV
(361 cm-1) collision energy using crossed molecular beams combined with
velocity map imaging. A molecular beam containing variable compositions of the
(J = 0, 1, 2) rotational states of hydrogen collides with a molecular beam of
argon seeded with water vapor that is cooled by supersonic expansion to its
lowest para or ortho rotational levels (JKaKc= 000 and 101, respectively).
Angular speed distributions of fully specified rotationally excited final
states are obtained using velocity map imaging. Relative integral cross
sections are obtained by integrating the DCSs taken with the same experimental
conditions. Experimental state-specific DCSs are compared with predictions from
fully quantum scattering calculations on the most complete H2O-H2 potential
energy surface. Comparison of relative total cross sections and state-specific
DCSs show excellent agreement with theory in almost all details
