Maxwell - Boltzmann Curve Distribution + Factors affecting Flashcards
What is the Maxwell - Boltzman distribution and what does it show?
The Maxwell - Distribution distribution tells us about the distribution of energy amongst particles. The Boltzmann curve shows the distribution of molecular energies in a gas at a constant temperature
Why is there no upper limit for the level of energy a particle can have?
A particle can have no upper limit because there is no max energy a particle can have
What are the features of the Maxwell - Boltzmann distribution curve?
(1) The area under the curve is the total number of molecules in a sample
(2) The curve starts at the origin because there are molecules with no energy
(3) The most probable energy is located directly under the peak kif the curve
(4) The mean energy is located slightly to the right of the most probable energy
(5) Only molecules with a greater energy than the activation energy, Ea, can react
Why is the mean energy located slightly to the right of the most probable energy?
The mean energy is located slightly to the right of the most probable energy because particles at very high energies skew the mean to the right
What is required for a reaction to take place between particles?
For a reaction to take place, collisions between particles must have enough energy to start breaking bonds, called the activation energy
What is the effect of higher temperatures on the maxwell - boltzmann distribution curve?
At higher temperatures the peak of the curve is lower and moves to the right, so the number of particles with very high energy increases.
Additionally, the most probable energy increases but the number of particles with the most probable energy falls
What is the result of higher temperatures on collisions?
At higher temperatures more molecules will have an energy greater than the activation energy, Ea. This will result in a higher percentage of collisions that create reactions, with the total number of collisions in a given time increasing a little as particles moving faster.
What is the effect of lower temperatures on the maxwell - boltzmann distribution curve?
At lower temperatures, the peak of the curve is higher and move to the left, so the number of particles with very high energy decreases. Additionally the most probable energy decreases but the number of particles with the most probable energy increases
What is the result of lower temperatures on collisions?
At lower temperatures less molecules will have an energy greater than the activation energy, Ea. This results in a lower percentage of collisions that create reactions, with the total number of collisions in a given time decreasing a little as particles move slower
When a catalyst is added to a chemical reaction, what happens to the Boltzmann curve?
The addition of the catalyst does not change the distribution of the molecular energies, there is just an indication of a lower activation energy shown on the graph
What hapoens when a catalyst iw added to a chemical reaction?
The addition of a catalyst results in more molecules in the reaction having an energy in excess of the new lower activation energy. Leading to more successful collisions within a given time and increasing the rate of reaction
