5.1.1

Collision Theory & Rates of Reaction

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Collision Theory

In order for particles to react, they must collide with sufficient energy and in the correct orientation.

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Collision theory

  • Collision theory states that for particles to react they must first collide with:
    • sufficient energy (greater than the activation energy)
    • correct orientation
  • The activation energy (Ea) is the minimum energy required for a collision to result in a reaction.
  • To speed up the rate of reaction we need to increase the frequency of collisions and/or increase the energy of the colliding particles so that more collisions are successful.
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Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution

  • To better understand this, we need to consider the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.
  • This distribution shows that at a given temperature a distribution of kinetic energies for the particles is available and only a percentage of particles will have an energy greater than the Ea.

Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction

The rate of a given chemical reaction is influenced by temperature, particle size, concentration or pressure, and the presence/absence of a catalyst.

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Temperature

  • Increasing the temperature has two effects on the particles to increase the rate of reaction:
    • particles have more kinetic energy at higher temperatures and this causes more frequent collisions
    • the increased kinetic energy also means that more collisions will now be successful as more collisions now have an energy greater than the activation energy.
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Temperature cont.

  • At higher temperatures the curve of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution shifts to the right (higher energy).
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Particle size

  • Decreasing the particle size increases the surface area to volume ratio.
  • Increasing the surface area causes more contact between reactants.
  • This results in more frequent collisions between reacting particles and a faster rate of reaction.
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Concentration or pressure

  • Increasing the concentration increases the frequency of collisions and the rate of reaction is increased.
  • Increasing the pressure for gases has the same effect as increasing concentrations of solutions.
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Catalysts

  • Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of reaction without being consumed by the process.
  • Catalysts work by offering an alternative reaction pathway for the reaction with a lower activation energy.
  • Lowering the activation energy means that more colliding particles now have an energy greater than the activation energy and more collisions become successful.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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