Kinetics and Equilibria Flashcards
Rate
A measure of how fast a reaction proceeds.
Collision/Particle theory
A reaction occurs when particles collide with enough energy/speed (Activation Energy, Ea) to react. The more collisions per second, the higher the rate.
Activation Energy, Ea
The minimum amount of kinetic energy required in a collision for particles to react.
What are the 4 factors that the rate of reaction depends on?
1) Temperature: if you increase the temp, particles move faster, so particles have more energy, so increased collisions, so increased rate. 2) Concentration (pressure): if you increase concentration: more particles, so more collisions, so increased rate. 3) Surface area: if you increase the surface area, more particles available to collide, so more collisions, so increased rate. 4) Catalyst: • Lowers the Ea requires for a successful collision, so increased successful collisions, so increased rate. • It provides a “site”/surface for particles to “stick” to. Increased the frequency of collisions, so increased rate.
What are the advantages, and disadvantages of catalysts?
Advantages: • They reduce the temperature required for a successful reaction. This saves energy, time, and money. Disadvantages: • They are reaction-specific: you need a different one for each reaction. • Very expensive. • They can be destroyed/poisoned by impurities in a reaction.
Rate (equation)
Rate = Amount of reactants (or products)/Time On a graph: • The steeper the gradient, the quicker the rate (because of temp/SA/catalyst) • The different rates should all level out at the same point (when all the reactants are used up). If there is a line that continues reacting, it had more reactants (higher concentration).
Measuring rate: Precipitation reactions
(See diagram) Rate can be calculated by how quickly the X disappears. • The quicker it disappears, the quicker the reaction. • Make sure the same person does it each time (eyesight- some may see through cloudiness quicker).
Measuring rate: Change in mass
(See diagram) Rate can be measured by timing how quickly mass falls. • The quicker the mass falls, the quicker the reaction. • Caution: gas is released into the room (do in a fume cupboard) • This is very accurate.
Measuring rate: Volume of gas given off
(See diagram) Rate can be measured by how quickly a fixed volume of gas is produced. • More gas given off = faster reaction • Caution: if the reaction occurs too quickly it could disconnect the gas syringe… explode. • Gas syringes are quite accurate (to nearest mm)
Exothermic reaction
Heat energy is transferred to surroundings (temp rises) from the bonds. e.g. Combustion (burning fuels), Neutralisation (acid + alkali), Oxidation reactions (e.g. Na + H2O) Uses: handwarmers, self-heating coffee cans
Endothermic reaction
Heat energy is taken in from the surroundings (temp falls), and converted into bond energy. e.g. Thermal decomposition (e.g. CaC03 -> CaO + CO2) Uses: ice packs (for sports injuries)
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution with Catalyst
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution with temperature change