14.2.3

Rate of Reaction - Collision Theory

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Collision Theory

Collision theory explains how reactions occur and why they occur at different rates.

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Particle collisions

  • Particles must collide for chemical reactions to happen.
  • Importantly, these collisions must happen with enough energy.
    • This minimum amount of energy is known as the activation energy.
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Activation energy

  • The activation energy is the minimum energy with which particles must collide in order to cause a chemical reaction.
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Rate of reaction

  • We can increase the rate of a reaction by increasing the number of collisions and/or the energy of reactant particles.
  • We can do this by changing the four main factors affecting reaction rates.
    • Temperature
    • Concentration
    • Pressure (for gases)
    • Surface area

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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