10.3 The Boltzmann distribution

Question 1

what are the features of the Boltzmann distribution?

Answer 1

no molecules have zero energy as the curve starts from the origin

there is no maximum energy for a molecule as the curve never touches the x-axis at high energy

Question 2

what is the area under the Boltzmann curve?

Answer 2

the total number of molecules

Question 3

what is the x-axis in a Boltzmann curve?

Answer 3

energy

Question 4

what is the y-axis in a Boltzmann curve?

Answer 4

number of molecules with a given energy

Question 5

what affect does an increase in temperature have on the Boltzmann curve?

Answer 5

shifts the curve down and right

area under the curve remains the same

Question 6

at higher temperatures

(main reason)

Answer 6

more molecules have an energy greater than the activation energy
so more successful collisions occur and there is a faster rate of reaction

Question 7

at higher temperatures

(other reason)

Answer 7

molecules move faster so more frequent collisions occur so a faster rate of reaction

Question 8

what is the effect of using a catalyst on the Boltzmann distribution?

Answer 8

reduces the activation energy so more molecules have an energy greater than the activation energy
means more successful collisions so an increase in rate of reaction