Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution Curve Flashcards
How do particles move in any gas/solution?
-few very slowly
-few very fast
-most intermediate speed
What is the energy of a particle dependent on?
Its speed
What are the features of a MBDC (Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution Curve) ?
-no particles with 0 energy
-most particles with intermediate energies
-few have high energies (right side)
-average energy not same as most probable energy
What does the area under the graph to the right of the Ea line represent?
number of particles with enough energy to react
How does temperature affect the shape of the MBDC?
lower and shifts to right
What are the features of a MBDC at a higher temperature?
-more particles with higher energies
-more particles with energy greater than Ea > collisions frequent > faster
What is a catalyst?
substance which affects the rate of a chemical reaction without being chemically changed itself
How does a catalyst work?
provides alternative pathway with lower activation energy
How does a catalyst affect the shape of the MBDC?
doesn’t affect shape however Ea line is higher up curve
What do catalysts not affect in a reaction?
enthalpy change
nor
position of equilibrium in a reversible reaction
What catalyst is used in the Haber Process?
iron
What catalyst is used in Cracking?
zeolite
What catalyst is used in catalytic converters?
platinum and rhodium
What do catalytic converters do?
reduce levels of polluting gases
How is a catalytic converter designed and why?
-honeycomb shape to provide large surface area
-ceramic material
-coated in platinum and rhodium metals to form weak bonds with
