P1: Kinetics Flashcards
Explain the 3 key points of ‘collision theory’
- For a reaction to take place between two particles, they must collide with enough energy to break bonds, and be in the correct orientation
- To get a lot of collisions, you must have a lot of particles in a small volume, and must be moving fast to break the bonds.
- Most collisions between molecules or other particles do not lead to a reaction.
What are the 5 factors affecting rate of reaction and explain them?
- INCREASING TEMPERATURE: increases both energy and number of collisions, due to a speed increase.
- INCREASE IN CONC OF SOLUTION: more particles are present, so collisions are more likely, reaction is faster. ( same for an ^ pressure in gas).
- INCREASE SURFACE AREA: more particles are available to collide e.g cube vs granulated sugar
- CATALYST: lowers the activation energy without being used up itself, speeds it up, increases proportion of successful collisions.
These increase the frequency of collisions
Define activation energy (Ea)
The minimum energy required for a reaction to occur.
What does the ‘Maxwell Boltzmann Distribution’ tell us?
The distribution of energy amongst the particles
What are some key points to note about the ‘Maxwell Boltzmann Distribution’?
- No particles have zero energy
- Most particles have intermediate energy (around the peak of the curve)
- A few have very high energies, there is no upper limit
- Average energy is not the same as the most probable energy.
How would you work out the total number of particles using the ‘Maxwell Boltzmann Distribution’?
Work out the area under the graph
What happens to the ‘Maxwell Boltzmann Distribution’ if we increase the temperature?
-The curve will get lower as there are more particles with greater energy
-Also a higher number of particles with greater energy than the activation energy.
-Will skew slightly more to the right of the original curve.
-area under the curve is the same.
Define what a Catalyst is
They provide a quicker alternate pathway or route for the reaction, one with a lower activation energy, and doesn’t get used up or changed itself.
What catalyst is used in The Haber Process and what is the reaction?
Iron
N2 (g). +. 3H2 (g). »_space; 2NH3 (g)
What catalyst is used to harden fats with hydrogen and what is the reaction?
Nickel
H2C=CH2 + H2»_space;> CH3CH3
What are the catalysts in a catalytic converter in car exhausts?
Platinum and Rhodium
What catalysts are used to crack hydrocarbon chains from crude oil?
Zeolite, aluminium oxide, and silicon dioxide.
What does a catalytic converter do?
Reduces the number of polluting gases coming out of petrol-engine car exhausts.
What is the structure of a catalytic converter?
-A honeycomb ceramic material, coated with platinum and rhodium metals.
-Honeycomb shape provides a large surface area.
What is the word equation for a catalytic converter?
Carbon monoxide + nitrogen oxides»_space;> nitrogen + carbon dioxide