Chemical Equilibrium & Kinetics: Vocabulary

Question 1

What is the rate law of a reaction?

Answer 1

The rate law is an equation that shows how the reaction rate depends on reactant concentrations.

Question 2

What is collision theory, and what two things does it state an equation needs to be able to react with one another?

Answer 2

Collision theory is a model that helps us understand how the temperature and concentration affect reaction rate on a molecular level. For a reaction to occur, the molecules must collide with sufficient energy, also known as activation energy, and the proper orientation.

Question 3

What is a reaction rate?

Answer 3

The reaction rate is the speed at which a chemical reaction occurs; it is defined as the change in concentration of reactants or products per unit time; (by convention, reaction rates are always positive).

Question 4

What is activation energy? (“Ea” )

Answer 4

The activation energy of a reaction is the minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction (can vary widely from reaction to reaction).