3.2.2: Reaction rates Flashcards
What is the equation used to calculate rate?
Rate = change in concentration / time
What is the unit for rate of reaction?
mol dm-3 s-1
What must particles do in order to react?
Collide with sufficient energy (activation energy) and the correct orientation
Do most collisions result in a reaction?
no
What are the factors that affect rate of reaction?
● Temperature ● Pressure ● Concentration ● Surface area ● Catalyst
What is the effect of increasing temperature on rate of reaction and why?
Increasing temperature → increased rate of reaction
Much higher proportion of particles have energy greater than the activation energy → many more successful collisions per second →increased rate
What is the effect of increasing concentration/pressure on rate of reaction and why?
Increased concentration/pressure → increased rate of reaction
There are more particles in a given volume → more frequent successful collisions → increased rate
What are the variables in an experiment that can be monitored to calculate the rate of reaction?
● Concentration of reactant or product
● Gas volume of products
● Mass of substances formed
How to calculate rate from a concentration time graph?
Draw a tangent
Work out the gradient of the tangent using the equation
Gradient = change in y / change in x
What is a catalyst?
A substance which increases the rate of reaction but is not used up in the reaction
How do catalysts work and how do they increase the rate of reaction?
They provide an alternate reaction pathway (with a lower activation energy)
Due to lower activation energy, more particles have energy > activation energy, so more frequent successful collisions, so increased reaction rate
What does homogeneous catalyst mean?
A catalyst that is in the same phase as the reactants.
Eg. liquid catalyst mixed with liquid reactants
What does heterogeneous catalyst mean?
Catalyst used in the reaction is in
different phase to the reactants
Eg. gaseous reactants passed over solid
catalyst
What are catalytic convertors?
They are present in vehicles to reduce toxic emission and prevent photochemical smog
Define activation energy
The minimum energy that particles must
collide with for a reaction to occur