Kinetics

Question 1

Define activation energy.

Answer 1

The minimum energy for a reaction.

Question 2

Define rate of reaction.

Answer 2

The change in amount or concentration of a substance in unit time and has units such as mol dm^-3 s^-1.

Question 3

Define catalyst.

Answer 3

A substance that provides an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy without itself being used up in the process.

Question 4

Define rate constant.

Answer 4

A constant of proportionality, k, in the rate equation Rate = k[A]^m[B]^n.

Question 5

Define order of reaction.

Answer 5

The power of the concentration terms in a rate equation, Rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, where m and n are the orders of reaction for A and B respectively.

Question 6

Define overall order of reaction.

Answer 6

The sum of the powers of the concentration terms in the rate equation, Rate = k[A]^m[B]^n, m + n.

Question 7

Define kinetic stability.

Answer 7

It occurs when the activation energy is so large that there are virtually no molecules in the reaction mixture that has sufficient energy to overcome activation energy and essentially the reaction does not happen.