10.3 Boltzmann Distribution

Question 1

What is the Boltzmann distribution?

Answer 1

Spread of molecular energies

Question 2

Features of Boltzmann distribution

Answer 2

No molecules have zero energy
Area under the curve is the total number of molecules
There is no maximum energy for a molecule - curve does not meet the x axis at high energy

Question 3

Effect of temperature on Boltzmann distribution curve

Answer 3

As temperature increases, average energy of molecules also increases
Some particles still have low energy, but more molecules have higher energy
Graph is stretched over a larger range of energy values
Peak of graph is lower on the y axis and further along the x axis
Number of molecules is the same - area under the curve is the same

Question 4

Average speed of particles on Boltzmann distribution

Answer 4

To the right of the peak of the curve

Question 5

Most probable speed of particles on Boltzmann distribution

Answer 5

Peak of the curve

Question 6

Effect of catalyst on Boltzmann distribution

Answer 6

Catalyst provides alternative reaction route with a lower activation energy
Greater proportion of particles now have activation energy or greater
Greater frequency of collision to form products - greater rate of reaction