Boltzmann Distribution

Question 1

What is the normal energy of moving particles?

Answer 1

• In a gas, solid and liquid some molecules move slowly with low energy and some move with high energy
• most molecules have average levels of energy and move close to average speed
• This is known as Boltzmann Distribution

Question 2

What is Boltzmann distribution?

Answer 2

• the spread of energy of molecules in a reaction

Question 3

Draw the normal distribution of Boltzmann distribution?

Answer 3

• notes
• Y = number of molecules with a given energy
• X = energy
• label AE

Question 4

What are the features of normal Boltzmann distribution?

Answer 4

• no molecules have zero energy
• The area under the curve = the number of molecules
• There is no maximum energy for a molecule - the curve doesnt meet the x axis with high energy

Question 5

How does temperature affect Boltzmann distribution?

Answer 5

• As temperature increases, the average energy of molecules also increases
• A small proportion of molecules will still have low energy but more molecules have higher energy
• The boltzmann distribution then stretches over a greater range of energy values
• The area under the graph remains the same as there is still a small number of molecules
• the AE will also be lower

Question 6

Draw the boltzmann distribution with higher temps

Answer 6

• notes

Question 7

How do catalysts affect Boltzmann distribution?

Answer 7

• Catalysts have lower AE
• in the presence of a catalyst, a greater proportion of molecules exceed the lower AE

Question 8

Draw the Boltzmann distribution with a catalyst