5.Kinetics Flashcards
What is collision theory
Reactions can only occur when collisions take place between particles with sufficient energy (activation energy)
Name all the factors that affect the rate of reaction
- temperature
- concentration of a solution
- pressure of a gas reaction
- surface area of solid reactants
- using a catalyst
What is activation energy
The minimum energy that a particle needs in order to react or the enthalpy change between the reactants and the transition state
What is the transition state
The species that exists at the top of the curve of an enthalpy diagram
What does the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution show
The distribution of energy amongst the particles. It shows:
- no particles have zero energy
- most particles have intermediate energies
- a few have very high energies (there is no upper limit)
Why does the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution go through the origin
All particles have energy/ no particles have no energy
Why does the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution never touch the x-axis after it goes through the origin
There is always a probability that a particle has any energy even a very high one
Describe the effect of temperature on a Maxwell-Boltzmann curve
- curve shifts to the right
- number of particles with very high energy increases
- total area under the curve remains the same
- number of particles with Ea increases
What are catalysts
A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being changed in chemical composition or amount
How do catalysts work
They provide a different reaction pathway with a lower activation energy
Describe the effect of a catalyst on a Maxwell-Boltzmann curve
It moves the position of the Ea down the x-axis on the graph
Describe a catalytic converter
a honeycomb, made of a ceramic material, coated with platinum and rhodium metals (the catalysts). honeycomb to increase surface area.
Describe 2 catalytic converters reactions
carbon monoxide +nitrogen oxides——> nitrogen and carbon dioxide
hydrocarbons + nitrogen oxides——> nitrogen +carbon dioxide + water
Describe the steps of the reaction that take place on the catalytic converter
- adsorption - gases form weak bonds with metals atoms of the catalyst. The gases react on the surface.
- desorption- the products break away from the metal atoms.
