3.1.5 Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution Curve

Question 1

What do collisions only result in?

Answer 1

• A reaction if the particles collide with a certain minimum energy called the activation energy for the reaction.

Question 2

Is there any particles that contain zero energy?

Answer 2

• No.

Question 3

Why does the curve not touch the x-axis?

Answer 3

• Because there will always be some particles with very high energies.

Question 4

What does the area under the curve =?

Answer 4

• Total number of particles in the system.

Question 5

What is the effect of temperature for the maxwell-Boltzmann graph?

Answer 5

• More particles have greater energy than the activation energy, therefore the rate of reaction is greater.

Question 6

What is the effect of a catalyst for the maxwell-Boltzmann graph?

Answer 6

• More molecules will have energy greater than or equal to the activation energy.